Common Myths

1. I will lose my work and my programs will stop!
FALSE: Just move your mouse and all of your work will still be on your desktop. If your CPU/hard drive has gone to sleep, just push the on button and your work and programs will still be there.

2. I download files a lot. If my computer screen turns off, it will stop downloading.
FALSE: When your monitor/screen turns off, it doesn’t disrupt downloading.

3. The turning on and off hurts my computer.
FALSE: Computers are designed to withstand 40,000 on-off cycles before failure, and you're not likely to approach that number during the average computer's five- to seven-year life span

4. Turning on my computer monitor/screen takes more energy than keeping it on.
FALSE: It takes vastly more energy to keep your computer (and lights and other appliances) on than it takes to turn them on; better technological design has minimized that small surge of energy created when appliances are turned on.

5. My screensaver saves energy.
FALSE: When your screensaver is on, no energy is being saved. Your monitor/screen is still using electricity. Because of the complex images and graphics, your monitor/screen could be using MORE energy than not having a screensaver at all. Screen savers were developed to prevent the permanent etching of a pattern on older monochrome monitors. Modern monitors/screens don’t have this problem.