when to restart a PC

[Evilization]

Hello guys
just got back to the USA a couple of weeks ago
anyway, i have a question
when do you really need to restart a PC?
i am installing multiple programs, and im just wondering:
do i have to restart before an install? or after?
AND
do i have to restart before an UNINSTALL? or after?
Thanks a lot

[MTJ=DK=]

I think its always after the installation and uninstallation

[K PhaNTOM]

Are you one of them people who never turns off their computer?

Anyways, You don't need to restart unless you're prompted to by the wizard. Unless you're installing 5 or 6 programs then I say restart after every 4.

[Sirex]

just watch msi installers, they tend to get that

"hm your waiting to reboot for something else, not going to install this one" thing

i tend just batch install then reboot after or when i get one of those msi installers

[Zantheus]

Well the only time I ever restart is when my Windows updates ask me to and sometimes I dont do that for awhile Ill let them add up. At most if Im not having any serious changes or issues, Ill restart once every 1.5-2 months

[Evilization]

Well the only time I ever restart is when my Windows updates ask me to and sometimes I dont do that for awhile Ill let them add up. At most if Im not having any serious changes or issues, Ill restart once every 1.5-2 months

btw, yeah phan, my PC is on 24/7

[K PhaNTOM]

OK, that's a

1. Waste of power
2. Waste of computer life
3. I DON'T GET IT!!!!!!!!!!!

If I sit on my computer for 6 hours a day, why should I leave it on for 24? I just don't get that concept. Your computer just doesn't run as properly as when you just start it up.

[mapes]

On my linux box I only restart when I upgrade my kernel. My server was up for over a year! The funny thing is when I moved I had to power it down and now the voltage regulator has an issue and it doesn't want to boot. Oh well it was time to upgrade anyways.

I agree with K PhaNTOM although if you setup a power profile to spin down the drives etc... it's not that bad.

OK, that's a

1. Waste of power
2. Waste of computer life
3. I DON'T GET IT!!!!!!!!!!!

If I sit on my computer for 6 hours a day, why should I leave it on for 24? I just don't get that concept. Your computer just doesn't run as properly as when you just start it up.

[DougBob]

Ok, first to answer the reboot question.

A reboot of a computer is ONLY required to perform the following:
1. Complete an installation of a software package due to the install not being able to accomplish a task it could not complete during the install process (e.g. copy a system file in place or create/update a registry entry due to a lock.)
2. Complete an install of a system critical process that can only start at boot time and not during system operation.
3. The system has become unstable due to poor code in a program that caused a memory leak, etc.

So to answer Evils question, you only need to reboot when directed by an install since it usually only ask you to reboot when it has added a RunOnce entry to the registry to complete what it couldn't due to a resource in use OR your should reboot your system when it becomes sluggish due to crappy code OR you suspect your system has become infect with malicious code. In the latter scenario don't shutdown, immediately hit the power button until you figure out what you want to do.

Now to address the system running 24/7, ROFL. You guys are funny.

Ok, moving parts, harddrives for example can be allowed to power down since they have moving parts.

Solid state devices(no moving parts) benefit from running 24/7 due to the fact that each time power is initially applied it a circuit the components deteriorate due to the startup amps are higher until the power on state is complete.
So to comment on these statements:

1. Waste of power

I partially agree. Don't believe all the green stuff you hear.

2. Waste of computer life

Absolutely untrue! If you talking about a harddrive, it could affect the drives life but not the computer life. If your talking about motherboards, etc, no the increased number of times you power on your equipment will in fact decrease it's life.

3. I DON'T GET IT!!!!!!!!!!

LOL, I can't help ya there phan

Your computer just doesn't run as properly as when you just start it up.

Like I said previously, this is due to crappy code causing a loss of system resources. The more resident processes you have running the more chance you have of this happening. The more non-reputable processes you have running resident, you have even more of a chance of this happening. The reason Unix and Linux usually runs for a longer period of time without requiring a reboot to regain system resources is it managers/recovers resources better than Windows, but MS has gotten a lot better on this.


I hope this helps

[FieryDragon]

Ok, first to answer the reboot question.

A reboot of a computer is ONLY required to perform the following:
1. Complete an installation of a software package due to the install not being able to accomplish a task it could not complete during the install process (e.g. copy a system file in place or create/update a registry entry due to a lock.)
2. Complete an install of a system critical process that can only start at boot time and not during system operation.
3. The system has become unstable due to poor code in a program that caused a memory leak, etc.

So to answer Evils question, you only need to reboot when directed by an install since it usually only ask you to reboot when it has added a RunOnce entry to the registry to complete what it couldn't due to a resource in use OR your should reboot your system when it becomes sluggish due to crappy code OR you suspect your system has become infect with malicious code. In the latter scenario don't shutdown, immediately hit the power button until you figure out what you want to do.

Now to address the system running 24/7, ROFL. You guys are funny.

Ok, moving parts, harddrives for example can be allowed to power down since they have moving parts.

Solid state devices(no moving parts) benefit from running 24/7 due to the fact that each time power is initially applied it a circuit the components deteriorate due to the startup amps are higher until the power on state is complete.
So to comment on these statements:

I partially agree. Don't believe all the green stuff you hear.


Absolutely untrue! If you talking about a harddrive, it could affect the drives life but not the computer life. If your talking about motherboards, etc, no the increased number of times you power on your equipment will in fact decrease it's life.


LOL, I can't help ya there phan


Like I said previously, this is due to crappy code causing a loss of system resources. The more resident processes you have running the more chance you have of this happening. The more non-reputable processes you have running resident, you have even more of a chance of this happening. The reason Unix and Linux usually runs for a longer period of time without requiring a reboot to regain system resources is it managers/recovers resources better than Windows, but MS has gotten a lot better on this.


I hope this helps

[Evilization]

thanks DougBob for the reply
thats really helpful

as to why my PC is on 24/7, its because it is always doing something and it is right next to my bed, even when i sleep, i put some music on repeat

[Duke{CLR}]

+1 to what DougBob said.

Did you ever wonder why light bulbs burn out when you turn them on.

[Zantheus]

Great post DB!! If I wasnt too lazy at the time of my original post, I would have gone into the detail you did

Long story short....the more you turn power on and off for your computer, the more likely it is to wear the system down

[K PhaNTOM]

Interesting. Did not know that. I guess I treat my computer like I treat myself. All of us need time to sleep, so I just let mine dream- of me of course.

Also, Bob knows everything....

[juneau]

Well the only time I ever restart is when my Windows updates ask me to and sometimes I dont do that for awhile Ill let them add up. At most if Im not having any serious changes or issues, Ill restart once every 1.5-2 months

This. My PC gets now rest at all. Even when i'm out of town i leave my PC on. Will be doing this very thing tomorrow when i'm in Manchester.