On Tue, 03 Jun 2008 06:24:56 -0700, SMS
wrote:

Edwin Pawlowski wrote:
"val189" wrote in message
I already have many electronic things on power strips and turn off the
power
strips when not in use. These things use electricity all the time...
Now.....you be SURE to disconnect the fridge lights, oven light, and
rip out the range hood while you're at it.

Never knew about power strips...anyone care to dispute that?

I think he's talking about electronics plugged into the strips, not the
strips themselves

Just don't turn off a power strip that has a desktop computer plugged
into it. The power supply provides +5V Standby to the motherboard's RTC
(real time clock) and CMOS RAM (which holds configuration data). When
the computer is unplugged (or during a power failure) the small,
non-rechargeable, lithium coin cell battery, maintains the RTC and CMOS
RAM. Often these are soldered in, not in a battery holder, and difficult
to replace. These batteries are not intended to supply power to the RTC
and CMOS RAM for long periods of time (unlike computers of 15 years ago
where the power supply didn't provide any power when the system was
turned off, and they used a much higher capacity battery).

Some computers (including the one I'm using right now) still have hard
power switches that turn everything off (electrically identical to
unplugging).
--
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