The Eternal Computer: A Story of Neglect and Consequences

When the inner workings of a computer are under stress, the machine may overheat, buzz, and slow down. By turning it off, some of this strain is relieved. Sleep mode is another option, albeit its usefulness may vary depending on the software installed on the machine. It is acceptable practice for certain IT organisations to leave their computers on for months at a time. But, let us test what would happen to an eternally operational computer. So, let's delve into this experiment and leverage the power of video chat to uncover the mysteries of an eternally operational computer.

The Relic: A Tale of an Ancient Computer

To put it simply: 2356 has come and gone

A shocking find has been discovered by the archaeological community. Everyone is looking at an ancient relic being unearthed using augmented reality goggles. The research team did discover a little amount of energy down underneath. Somehow, energy is being produced out of thin air by an invisible force. In a few of hours, we will begin our excavation. A strange artefact is carefully removed by archaeologists. They initially see a flat screen computer from the 1990s. One century later, they discover the system unit is buried under several feet of stone.

In the year 2021, you're on the hunt for a graphic design job and saving up for a new computer

A new one, particularly one with a decent graphics card and enough Memory, is out of my price range. That's why you've made up your mind to buy a used computer. You're browsing the web when you come across an advertisement. A trendy new gadget that won't break the bank has been released. There is an ancient antique store waiting for you. The windows display vintage items like typewriters, notebooks, and paintings. Instead of looking for a computer, you admire the lovely sketchbooks available.

A bearded elderly salesman is there to welcome you

He says he's been waiting a long time and motions for you to follow him into a computer room. A radiance emanates from among some ancient-looking manuscripts, a pendulum clock, and other relics. The computer generated this. It seems like it's from a thousand years ago, yet it's still functional today. One of the newest, most visually impressive PC games is released by the vendor. After a short time of testing, you decide to make the purchase and start playing on your new PC. An elderly guy advises you to keep it clean and well-maintained.

A sigh of relief and contentment may be seen on the vendor's face as you walk out the door

The computer is already on when you get home, having only required your placement of the system unit beneath the table and the connection of the screen, keyboard, and mouse. You've disconnected it and transported it across the city, but it doesn't matter since you can play it while you work on the graphics editor. There you were, typing away at the keyboard. till morning, and ended up dozing off at the dinner table. Your head hurts when you wake up a few hours later. The light and buzz of the screen have kept you awake. While you are waking up in the morning, you realise that you left the computer on while you were sleeping.

There's power on the screen, but the action has ceased

The PC has been operational the whole time. You go to the Start menu to shut off the computer, but there is no such item. Then you want to turn off the system unit, but you can't seem to locate the off switch. Not even close. It's important not to yank it out of its cradle since doing so might disrupt the OS's normal operation. Your PC won't be turning off for a few weeks. Afterwards, a soft sound begins to emanate from it. You know this means you need to give the inside a thorough cleaning.

It's radiating heat and has fans inside to keep things cool

You remove the computer from its socket once you have copied all of its data to a hard drive. Weirdly, it remains functioning. You stop remembering. Just line it up and dash back to the shop. The computer store you visited is now a deserted structure. Just a few weeks have passed, yet the house may easily pass for deserted after decades have passed. After you go home, you give your PC a thorough cleaning.

It's quiet now. Computer operations are reliable

At this point, you're probably wondering where it derives its power. One day later, you get an invoice for your electrical use. It claims that your debt is enormous. Now you know that the computer is draining your power supply in some way. It does it by establishing an over-the-network connection. In spite of this, you continue to use the computer. That may keep on for months on end. You have a tonne of applications loaded, and some of them are probably running nonstop. You also like that the PC never turns off unexpectedly.

Have a seat and get to work

Accessing your home computer from afar eliminates the need to wait for programmed to load while you're away from your desk. Antivirus scans and operating system updates, for example, are not performed when you are awake, but rather while you are sleeping. Nevertheless, there is a downside: it needs constant feeding. Far too much might. Your monthly payments will be quite high. You won't be able to keep up if anything occurs to cause an increase in power bills. Continuous use eventually destroys machinery. You wipe down your PC, but it doesn't seem to help.

The hotter a computer gets, the harder it works

As the temperature rises, the situation becomes much more dire. There's a crescendo in the volume of the sounds. It's an effective antidote to sleepiness. One year goes by. You say the computer is still functional, right? The heat is so oppressive that you'll constantly be opening windows. Listening to the computer hum is giving you a headache. You can't stop it from running, and cleaning the interior won't do much good now that you have to do it while it's operating.

One may cook three eggs on the surface of the system unit

In order to give your computer a break, you eliminate a bunch of programmers. That serves its purpose. It's not as loud and consumes less energy, so it's safer. Yet, you want to eliminate it. The computer will be discarded tomorrow. First thing in the morning, you get a call from your potential employer setting up an interview for later that day. You're leaving in a few hours for a new city. Since your new work is so stimulating, you keep forgetting to log off the computer.

The hull was corroded away by rust

It's been a long time since any microchips have been operational. A hardened covering of dust and soil covers everything. The computer itself is dead, but the CPU is still functioning. The computer doesn't produce electricity, it purchases it from a power plant in the neighboring city. Further research revealed that the computer had used power equal to one million dollars over the course of many millennia. Graphics card and all cooling fans stopped functioning after first few years of regular use.

At this point, the computer began creating a humming noise that

It spent a considerable amount of time in a dump. Rust forms on metal when exposed to moisture like rain. The computer continued to go down into the earth. Because of this, for 300 years, practically all of its parts were unable to function properly. The CPU continued to operate, increasing in temperature. Rot-causing insects and bacteria were scared away by the radiation.

Conclusion

In conclusion, leaving a computer on for an extended period of time can have both advantages and disadvantages. While it eliminates the need to wait for programs to load and enables remote access, it can also drain power and cause machinery to deteriorate over time. While it may be acceptable practice for certain IT organizations to leave their computers on for long periods, it's essential to ensure that the machine is well-maintained and cleaned regularly. Ultimately, it's up to the individual to weigh the pros and cons and decide what works best for their specific situation.