Can anything happen to a computer if you don't turn it on for 2 weeks?

[vsekira]

Just wondering if anything can happen to my computer because I'm about to leave for 2-3 weeks and no one will be at home to turn it on at all.

 

[mjslakeridge]

Nothing bad will happen to your computer if you don't turn it on for a while. I have one computer that sometimes goes 2-3 months without being turned on. If you don't have a good surge protector for the computer and monitors, unplug them from the wall in case there is a lightning strike or some other power surge.

 

[little_me]

It should be just fine. Especially if you unplug power cable from wall and possible ethernet cable from computer too to avoid problems in case lightning strikes somewhere and causes electrical spikes.
Which are unlikely to do anything since it is turned off but to be safe, unplug and it should be 100% fool proof.

 

[greens]

No, absolutely not.

Leaving the PC alone will not cause any harm what-so-ever.

 

[greens]

do NOT unplug your PC from the wall!

That is how it is grounded! Unplugging it from the wall removes its grounding, making it susceptible to all kinds of mishaps!

ALWAYS keep your PC plugged in, even when working on it (switch the PSU to off)

 

[t53186]

Got my vote for unplug as well. Nothing will happen to your PC when its unplugged, just like any other electrical appliance.

And you do not have to be grounded when working on it, just the same electrical potential as the case/components, use a strap or equalize the voltage differential (static) by touching the case before handling and components.

 

[greens]

OMG... Touching the case when the PC isn't plugged in is literally just discharging your static variance right into the freaking PC.

The advice for touching the case now and again to prevent static shock depends on the PSU being plugged into a grounded outlet, and attached to the case.

The strap doesn't prevent static discharge - it just makes you in line with the case, which works to prevent static discharge whether it is plugged in or not. However, if you touch say a component on your desk, while strapped to your case which is not plugged in - you CAN still discharge.

So even with the straps they are only 100% effective if the case is plugged in. Computer cases aren't so large like cars or buildings where the are self grounding due to their mass.

Leaving it plugged in, unplugging it - either way the chances of anything happening to it are extremely small. I don't know where you guys live that lightning strikes or power surges are a problem - here in the US we have a number of codes and structures in place to prevent these sorts of things.

I always leave my PC plugged in and on, with a port forward for each rig - what if i need to remote access my PC and get some files or update the torrents, etc? What if we need an impromptu vent server for the nieces and nephews while on vacation? Leave it on and plugged in is what i'd do.

 

[Solandri]

The metal in the case of the PC has sufficient mass to absorb a static discharge with minimal to no effect on interior components. Static discharges are very high voltage like lightning, but unlike lightning they have very little current (continuous transmission of electricity). Whereas a lightning bolt is like being hit with a fire hose of water for a second or two, a static discharge is like being hit with a single drop of water shot at fire hose-like velocity. Your PC case (or even a metal table leg or doorknob) has sufficient mass to absorb a static discharge. Doesn't matter if it's grounded (the table leg and doorknob sure aren't grounded).

The grounding is more for your safety when the device is plugged in and on. If there's a short circuit in the PSU causing it to leak electricity, that leak is dissipated to ground (hopefully tripping the circuit breaker). Without a ground wire, when you touched the case that leak would be dissipated through you, likely killing you.

I vote for unplugging it as well. Another problem I've run across with electronics left plugged in during winter when nobody is around is that insects and rodents notice it's warmer, and decide to make a nest in it, ruining it with their excretions.

 

[greens]

Your PC case (or even a metal table leg or doorknob) has sufficient mass to absorb a static discharge. Doesn't matter if it's grounded (the table leg and doorknob sure aren't grounded).

When you touch a car - you don't get shocked. The car has sufficient mass to prevent this.
When you touch a door knob - you absolutely can get shocked. This is because the knob doesn't have sufficient mass.

If the knob had sufficient mass - it would never shock you.
The audible snap and visible arc is proof that it doesn't have enough mass, so i'm not sure where that premise is coming from.

 

[theyeti87]

To answer the question originally asked...

It's perfectly fine to leave your computer off for a few weeks, no problem. Whether you leave it plugged in or not is up to you. I personally would unplug it if you're worried about something happening to it.

 

[Rocky Bennett]

My advice to you is that if you leave your computer off for anything over a week, be sure to update your antivirus software as soon as you return and turn your computer on. Do not check your email or surf the web until after you update your antivirus software with the latest definitions to prevent zero day attacks.

 

[Solandri]

When you touch a car - you don't get shocked. The car has sufficient mass to prevent this.
When you touch a door knob - you absolutely can get shocked. This is because the knob doesn't have sufficient mass.

If the knob had sufficient mass - it would never shock you.
The audible snap and visible arc is proof that it doesn't have enough mass, so i'm not sure where that premise is coming from.

The shock is due to the charge leaving through a tiny area of your finger. The mass of the receiving object is irrelevant. And yes you will feel the shock if you have static and touch a car. The static charge is in your body, and will readily jump to any object which is more conductive. The distance just has to become small enough for the voltage to overcome the insulating properties of the air.

The arc is due to the charge being of sufficient voltage to ionize the air (rip the electrons off the air molecules) turning the air from an insulator into a conductive conduit to the metal object. The charge then flows through that conduit from your finger to the metal object. The light from the arc (and lightning) is some of the energy from this ionization being converted into photons. The pop (and thunder) is from the air expanding when it's heated by this arc, then collapsing and crashing into itself as it fills the void created by the expansion. This expansion and collapse create pressure waves - aka sound.