Is it a problem to run my computer without turning it off for close to 5 months?

I have a 17" MBP with a 3.06 intel core 2 duo processor. I just joined Crashplan and am uploading my HD. At the speed of my home internet connection, this will take 3-5 months if I run my computer uninterruptedly. They offer the option for 125 of sending you a external HD you can copy too.

I dont mind not turning my computer off for that long. But I do worry if that wear and tear means my computer will die that much quicker, in which case saving money by declining that 125 option isn't such a good idea.

So, it it bad to leave my computer on for so long without end?

No.

I turn mine off when I travel with it, which works out to every 4 to 6 months. No problems.

Seems a pretty unrealistic scenario though - 6 months for your initial backup (this assumes you don't have to restart that process for some reason). I think you should definitely take them up on the offer of an external drive for the initial copy.

I have to admit that I read the title of the OP's post and then skimmed the post.

There is no way I would do a backup that took 5 to 6 months for the initial! And honestly, for $125 you could probably pick up two external hard drives and swap them out occasionally.

Razormac said:

I have to admit that I read the title of the OP's post and then skimmed the post.

There is no way I would do a backup that took 5 to 6 months for the initial! And honestly, for $125 you could probably pick up two external hard drives and swap them out occasionally.

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Ditto! 5 months for a backup? Murphy's law would have it that I would have a crash in the next 30 days!

Besides, if it's going to take 3+ months to UPLOAD your backup, how long will it take to download it? Seeing that a lot of ISP plans offer about a 3-6:1 ration of download:upload, then you'd potentially be looking at 3-4+ weeks to download your backup in the event of a crash. I don't know about the OP, but my work is so dependent on my system, I can barely go a day without it.

indychris said:

Ditto! 5 months for a backup? Murphy's law would have it that I would have a crash in the next 30 days!

Besides, if it's going to take 3+ months to UPLOAD your backup, how long will it take to download it? Seeing that a lot of ISP plans offer about a 3-6:1 ration of download:upload, then you'd potentially be looking at 3-4+ weeks to download your backup in the event of a crash. I don't know about the OP, but my work is so dependent on my system, I can barely go a day without it.

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I dont think anyone would want to spend a month downloading a backup in the event of a crash.

You could buy a external hd for about £50 and then just use Time Machine.

I appreciate the option the op is using may be free but free isnt always the best option.

5 months to backup my hard drive?? How long does it take to download your backup - 2 years???
That's as good as not having a backup imho.
I'd have to tell that company where they could put their backup plan.

Or at least:

And walk off looking for any other option.