Need good argument to leave parents computer on 24/7 (w/o mentioning SETI)

[UNLTuba]

Any suggestions that I can use to use to convince my parents that it's not a bad thing to leave their computer on 24/7 (so that I can secretly crunch on it like I'm doing now)? They keep pulling the "it needs to rest" argument on me as the reason to shut it off and I don't have much to say after that that could convince them otherwise. Ideas?

EDIT - They're not completely computer literate (as in nothing lame'll work)

 

[Domination]

Tell them that constantly turning it on and off will break the power switch

 

[teriba]

The stresses involved in bootup are unnecessary. All of the components including the cd drives, hard drives, monitor, etc. undergo much unnecessary stress.

 

[zeruty]

devices are only rated for a limited number of thermal cycles. warming up, getting cold, warming up, getting cold... also known as expanding, contracting, expanding, contracting. its not a good thing

did you know there was a light bulb that lasted for like over 100 years
it was on constantly, was never turned off
if you leave a light bulb on without ever turning it off, it will last a lot longer than if you constantly turn it off, turn it on, turn it off
same thing applies for computer hardware
and provided there is proper cooling and nothing is overheating, the equipment plain just doesnt need to rest... it's fine....it's not a living being, doesn't need to sit down occasionally.

 

[conjur]

Yup...and PCs don't use too much power...esp. if you turn off the monitor.

 

[IsOs]

If your computer is equiped with voice modem, then turn on the voice mail feature and use it as answering machine. Each one of you will have a private voice mail.

Or use your computer as fax machine. You need to leave it on to receive fax 24/7.

 

[Confused]

Say to them "Isn't it really annoying when you want to look up one little thing on the internet quickly, but have to wait for the computer to boot up and get ready, when if you leave it on 24/7, then all you have to do is turn off the monitor"

Also use all the things suggested above

ConfusedBW

 

[Zim Hosein]

UNLTuba, just curious, why can't you mention SETI?

 

[Logix]

I will agree with all the above. I would use as my primary argument that turning it on and off is bad for it, like constantly turning a car engine on and off. As backup arguments, I'd add that you're running SETI, so it's not a complete waste of energy. Also, add that you don't have to wait for it to boot up anymore, and that the cost of electricity is cheap, and that you'll make sure to turn off the monitor whenever you're away to save the most electricity without actually shutting down.

Why don't you want to mention SETI?

 

[BGod]

I vote for the "Thermal Stress" theory. If you leave it on it will run longer and isn't as hard on it.

As CPU's have gotten faster with smaller traces in the manufacturing processs they've become more suseptable to thrermal stress. A good heatsink/fan combo can help but not alieviate the stresses put on a CPU buy turning them on and off several times a day.

 

[IndyJaws]

Tell them you found the potent Seti Speed Virus on the machine, and if you turn it off (or go below 55 MHz), it will blow up!

 

[Eponymous]

Tell them the MotherBoard battery is dying and if you turn it off the bios settings will be lost.
And that they should leave it on until you get a chance to change it out.

Don't do anything for a few months and then either they don't make that part any more
or the battery is soldered to the mother board and you can't get it off.

 

[barbary]

Set it up to do late night back ups and virus checking. Then it needs to be on.

 

[Baldy18]

You are their child and if they love you they will leave it on. Worked with mine.