One way to shut down a computer (e.g., running Windows, etc.) is to select "Start", "Shut Down...", select "Shut Down", select "OK".

Never turn off the power without shutting down. Why?

What happens when you are editing a document that you have modified in Word and select "File", "Save", to save it to the hard drive?

A "File", "Save" in Word does not immediately save a document to the hard drive.

Windows is multi-tasking and uses a disk cache system to improve performance.

When you do a "File", "Save" in Word, the document is scheduled to be saved to the hard drive, which, due to the cache system, may take from several seconds to several minutes, depending on what other tasks are running on the system.

Shutting down the system flushes the pending disk writes to the hard drive.

Of course, if the power fails before the disk write is performed, you may lose your work.


A UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) will prevent the power from being turned off to a computer if the power fails, giving you time to save your work before the battery in the UPS runs out.


You can even have your UPS delivered by UPS (United Parcel Service).

For protecting the computer and data on the computer, always use some form of surge protector to protect against electrical spikes and surges.

A piece of equipment is protected as long as it is on the same electrical line as a surge protector.

Even better, use a UPS to provide backup power if the primary power goes off. A UPS includes surge protection.

A laptop does not need a UPS as it has its own battery. However, surge protection should be used for a laptop.

Static electricity can cause a computer to malfunction, or even damage it.

A UPS will not protect against a lightning strike.

To be safe, always create an air gap of 6 to 12 inches when a storm approaches, or when leaving equipment unattended.

In practice, this means isolating the equipment from the incoming phone and electrical lines (and cable line, in the case of a cable modem).

A UPS protects against surges, spikes, sags, and power outages.

A power surge is an increase in voltage, more than normal.

A power spike is a high increase in voltage for a short amount of time.

A power sag, called a brownout, is a decrease in voltage, lower than normal.

A power outage is a complete loss of power.

Computers without batteries should probably be connected to a UPS.

Which is better:

• Turn your computer off when not in use.
• Leave your computer running. Assume you have a UPS.

What is bad for the computer: turning it on and off.

Power consumption is a very important consideration since heat is generated when power is consumed and heat is a primary cause of computer component failure.


That is why many computers have (sometimes noisy) fans and heat sinks on computer chips.

Another reason for computer failure is mechanical vibration.

Dropping a computer creates a powerful vibration throughout the computer system.

When is the most likely time for a computer to fail?

#1: Electronic equipment is most likely to fail when it is used for the first time.

#2: The computer is most likely to fail when you power it on.

Laptops are designed to be moved. Desktops are not.

#3: The next most likely most likely time it will fail is when it is moved (for desktops).

That means that you should backup your work before you turn it off.

Never turn off a computer by turning off the power or unplugging it.

Notice the delay when you shut down the computer. The operating system ask all of the running processes if they are ready to close down.

If you have a desktop, get a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) in case the power goes out. Cost: $50 to $150

Use the software to turn the computer off.

Suggestion: Unplug all computers and network lines when not in use, especially if there are storms in the area.

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