Q: The current big dilemma at My House: Do You leave the computers going constantly, avoiding the strain of being turned On & Off? Or do we just leave them going all day & all night, which theoretically would hasten the drive eventually wearing out?
A: Do not leave it on all night. If there is improper ventilation, your hardware may melt in the heat (The melting point of most computer components is about 70 Degrees Celsius, or 158 Degrees Fahrenheit). Turning off the computer allows it to cool down. Also, turning it off clears the RAM, allowing the computer to go faster. It uses minimal power when off, so you save money on your electric bill. If you want to, you can set it to Hibernate, assuming you have Windows XP or higher, and you know how to Hibernate.