What Happens When You Don't Shutdown Your Computers Properly?

taken from: http://www.datarecovery.net/i/misc/harddrive.gif

When a computer is running, the hard disk rotates its platter thousands times in a minute, the read/write head moves forwards and backwards all the time, your operating system opens many files for reading and writing.

When you turn off the computer using the shutdown option in your operating system, it closes all the files that it is using and ends its access to them and to your system’s registry. And, the hard disk, positions its actuator arm at one side of the disk.

These are some cases wherein most computers are not shut down properly:

• When power outage occurs (intentional or not)
• When computer does not respond for several minutes even after using ctrl + alt + del
• When a user holds down the power button for several seconds (intentional or not)
• And, when we are just too lazy to turn off the computer normally and wait for it to shut down on its own.

What happens then if your computer is not shut down properly?

Your computer may not be able to finish reading or writing some system files in your hard drive which results in corrupted files especially in your system’s registry. The read/write head may have been resting on the hard drive’s platter while it is turned off. When the computer is turned on, it will cause a scratch on the platter and damage some of the stored data in your system.

Having a corrupted registry files in your system may end up to a non-booting computer which will cost you repairs and hardware replacement. The worst part is that you may not be able to access all your files ever again. You will lose all your data!

While shutting down your computer by pulling its plug may save your precious seconds, shutting it down properly while save your company or your wallet’s health.