When did it become okay to leave systems plugged in?

[8bitgamer]

Most retro gamers know to unplug their Atari 2600, ColecoVision, etc. when not in use. I know it's okay to leave the PS3, Xbox, etc. plugged in all the time. When did it become okay to leave systems plugged in? Is it okay to leave my N64, Saturn, PS1, 3DO, etc. plugged in?

I'm guessing it's an adaptor kind of thing. Newer systems with just a standard plug in are okay to leave in while older systems with a big, fat adaptor should be unplugged? But where would that leave the Vectrex?

I ask this because I'm redesigning my game room to include more systems set up for play at all times.

[chrisbid]

those modern examples still have power supplies, they are simply internal rather than wall warts.

its better for your electric bills to leave systems unplugged or to simply plug them into a power strip/surge protector and turn that off when your systems are not in use.

[Soviet Conscript]

Most retro gamers know to unplug their Atari 2600, ColecoVision, etc. when not in use. I know it's okay to leave the PS3, Xbox, etc. plugged in all the time. When did it become okay to leave systems plugged in? Is it okay to leave my N64, Saturn, PS1, 3DO, etc. plugged in?

I'm guessing it's an adaptor kind of thing. Newer systems with just a standard plug in are okay to leave in while older systems with a big, fat adaptor should be unplugged? But where would that leave the Vectrex?

I ask this because I'm redesigning my game room to include more systems set up for play at all times.

news to me, in 29 years i've never unplugged my any of my consoles when not in use. acually i'm prone to making giant daisy chained surge protector fire death traps in the name of convience. i have been makeing a habit of haveing said surge proectors turned off when not in use which i suppose serves the same purpose of unplugging.

i think its when they implimented those "sleep modes" that it became acually advisable to leave them plugged in. i beleive its suppose to not use much electricity while allowing your system to quickly power up. ps3/2, 360 and wii do this as far as i know. i know it still gobbles power though and not sure of the real benifits to the system.

[duffmanth]

I've never unplugged my consoles. Not my NES or SNES as a kid and even now. Also none of my Playstation consoles either. It's just a pain in the ass getting in behind your wall unit and messing around with a million different wires. If you're concerned about this, just get a power bar and switch it off when you're not using your systems.

[Baloo]

I never unplug my consoles either, it's too hard to keep going behind the TV whenever I want to play my console just to save a little bit of electricity.

[Gameguy]

I never leave any of my systems hooked up because I lack the space, but I've never really heard of any reason that they need to be unplugged besides saving a bit of electricity.

You need to keep a Turbo Duo plugged in to keep the internal saves intact, it uses a capacitor instead of an internal battery for saves.

[MASTERWEEDO]

I always left them plugged in

[exit]

When was it not okay? Only time I unplug something is when I need to plug something else in and have no space, or if I haven't used something for quite some times and I'm trying to get things a little organized. Other than that it's a surge protector free for all.

[8bitgamer]

When was it not okay? Only time I unplug something is when I need to plug something else in and have no space, or if I haven't used something for quite some times and I'm trying to get things a little organized. Other than that it's a surge protector free for all.

For some reason, growing up in the late seventies and early eighties, everyone (store managers, older siblings, etc.) always said you should unplug your game system when not in use. Not really sure why, other than saving a very small amout of electricity. As a kid I just thought it would wear out the system faster or something.

[jb143]

We would always leave our NES plugged in but that's mainly because it was a fixture of our entertainment center like the VCR was. The Atari 2600 however was not. It was kept in a box and we'd only get it out when we wanted to play. Now I just leave the Wii and PS2 plugged in. The PS2 has a switch in the back that I turn off though.


...just to save a little bit of electricity.
Last I heard, 5%-10% of an average household power bill comes from leaving things plugged in when not in use. This includes everything though...TV's, DVD players, computers, game systems, phone chargers. The average household also doesn't have 20 game systems plugged in at once. Something to think about at the very least.

[skaar]

I've actually started a policy at work of turning off power strips and rewiring the desks so they can be killed at the end of the day, and am going to be doing this at home as well starting July 1st. We'll see what the impact is like. Honestly, it's not too hard to wire things up in such a way that your power strip is easy to get to.

I'm going to leave the Media PC on its own though, that stays on for torrents/etc.

[kupomogli]

Unless I don't have the room, then everything that's plugged into my TV I'd keep plugged in.

[8bitgamer]

I consulted an NES owner's manual, and it said to leave the unit unplugged when not in use to save electricity, so that's probably all there was to it.

[jb143]

There's also the possibility of the transformer going bad by the having the constant heat cause a short by wearing* through the enamel coating on the wires.

*Not the right word but I couldn't think of the technical term.

[Tempest]

I usually have everything hooked up to a power strip that I can turn off and on.

Tempest

[dao2]

I have my 2 surge protecters plugged into one of those old moniter style power strip things and I turn that off when I'm not using it (it hooks up all my consoles and my tv). I do it to save the electricity mostly but also I get really weirded out how the old style bricks heat up when not in use ><

[Rob2600]

I've actually started a policy at work of turning off power strips and rewiring the desks so they can be killed at the end of the day, and am going to be doing this at home as well starting July 1st. We'll see what the impact is like. Honestly, it's not too hard to wire things up in such a way that your power strip is easy to get to.

I started doing this two years ago and it's great. When I'm not using the TV, DVD player, stereo, computer, air conditioner, phone charger, etc., the power strips are turned off. The only thing I leave running is the cable box because it's also my DVR. I'm saving some money and conserving power. Imagine if everyone did that starting today?

[Zing]

I started doing this two years ago and it's great. When I'm not using the TV, DVD player, stereo, computer, air conditioner, phone charger, etc., the power strips are turned off. The only thing I leave running is the cable box because it's also my DVR. I'm saving some money and conserving power. Imagine if everyone did that starting today?

Imagine how much we could conserve if everyone didn't buy a TV, DVD player, stereo, computer, air conditioner, phone charger, etc.

[Oldskool]

The consoles that I have hooked up, I usually keep plugged in. Like mentioned it's just a hassle. If you can run them all to a surge protector that's plugged into an outlet that can be controlled by a switch then that's the best route to go. Just flip the switch.

I personally think it's probably a good idea to unplug it all. And not just because of saving on electricity, but because the AC Adapters stay warm even when not in use, which is telling me that they are being used. My X'Eye/CDX adapter is downright freaking warm, if not almost hot when not in use. I almost wonder if it's slowly wearing them down when they are plugged in.

[Zing]

I have been gaming since the 2600 and I don't recall ever specifically unplugging consoles. I definitely didn't do it on a regular basis.

The comment about having the Atari put away and only bringing it out when being played was funny. I forgot about that. I knew quite a few people who did that. The 2600 would be in a drawer or cabinet and only come out to play, then go right back in.

[Oldskool]

I think back in the wee early years of video game consoles, people may have looked at them a bit differently. Sort of an "electronic" version of a board game. When you were done with playing Monopoly or something, the family would put it away until another time. Maybe they had the same mentality with the Atari. It's just a "game", put it away when you are done with it. Bring it out when you want to play it. What's funny about this, is that many of them never came back out. And many of them still suffer from this fate even today. It's the curse of the Atari 2600. Mine is currently in it's storage case on top of the entertainment center. :rocker:

I may be wrong on this.

[jb143]

I may be wrong on this.

I think that's a big part of it. The other thing is that there really weren't entertainment centers back then...at least not to my recollection. The only thing hooked to the TV was an antenna. It probally wasn't until there were other things that needed to stay connected to a TV (and Nintendo designing the NES around this idea) that everyone just left them hooked up.

[ConsoleAddict]

The only system I keep plugged is the PS3. The Wii and Xbox 360 remain on in some capacity when their plugs are still in the power bar. The Wii still has an amber light and the 360's power brick still glows amber. Any system that emits some sort of light when plugged is unplugged when I'm done with it.

As for the older consoles, I didn't have a power bar for them and so they had to be unplugged in order for other items to be used.

[TheChristoph]

I'm lazy. I don't want to stoop over and reach behind the TV to unplug things or turn off power strips every time I'm done with a game.

[Arkhan]

Unplug them?

screw that. Too much work. I aint reaching behind the TV to unplug this crap when I am not playing.

[ZombieK]

I'm lazy. I don't want to stoop over and reach behind the TV to unplug things or turn off power strips every time I'm done with a game.
how about getting a power strip that sits at the end of the entertainment center [oh wait you would have too get up OH NO. you must be 80 or something if you have that much trouble]

and get a switchbox on the tv so you do not have to replug anything
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' '''''''''''''''
Other wise this thread got me thinking about my consoles. it may not be proven it kills them faster but its always better being safe then sorry i will be employing a setup like this soon

[Rob2600]

Unplug them?

screw that. Too much work. I aint reaching behind the TV to unplug this crap when I am not playing.

Wow, so you're lazy, foolish with money, *and* have no regard for our environment or resources...a classy forward-thinker.

[Sabz5150]

My home is wired for x10, so I have all of my consoles (sans the PS3 and Wii... they like to stay online) connected through an x10 unit. One switch press cuts the whole shebang on or off. Cut the lineup on to play, cut it off when I'm done.

[megasdkirby]

I turn all units off, specially for newer items, like LCD TV's, Playstation 3, and the Xbox.

I do so because of three reasons:

1)Reduce electricity consumption.

2)Reduce probability of a short, and thus a possible fire outbreak.

3)Prolong the life of my equipment.

When I took Physics at college, I learned that electricity will always generate heat. So even if it's turned off, electricity is flowing through the components, generating heat. This can be seen by older consoles, where the power supply is external to the system. Leave the power supply connected, even if the console if off, will make the power brick hot to the touch. Since the power supply on modern consoles (like the Playstation 3) have it internally, this generates heat that could potentially increase the risk of a failure, like the RROD or YLOD. Heat is cumullative, so I rather disconnect all possible flow of electricity to make sure there is no heat conduction.

Some may call this bullshit, but if you think about it, it makes sense. Heat builds, so even if the wattage or consumption is low, it will increase with time, thus leading to possible failure, and even risk of a short where it is connected. I like the old model Playstation 3 because of the toggle switch behind the console, as it cuts all electricity on the system (except for the switch itself).

I simply turn off the switch on my power strip and/or UPS every day, whenever I remember.

[darkslime]

I currently have 4 powerstrips and 15-20 consoles plugged into three different TVs in the same outlet. Nothing bad has happened yet. :)

[Arkhan]

Wow, so you're lazy, foolish with money, *and* have no regard for our environment or resources...a classy forward-thinker.

:roll:

You seem to have this knack for being a condescending douche towards other people here. I'm sure you yourself are not so great at conserving energy. I mean you waste power and resources coming on here and being a douchenozzle. Other people could use that power to come on the internet and NOT be a prick.

and who are you to judge UNPLUGGING VIDEO GAME CONSOLES as what makes someone a classy forward thinker? I do some other crap for the environment that's alot more of an impact than unplugging some crap and saving some energy that the power company can continually generate.

I had this discussion with someone else before and they were on your side of the pissing contest. Shortly after I mentioned doing habitat for humanity, food drives, park cleaning, etc. They didn't have much of an argument left, and neither do you.

1) There is nothing lazy about not wanting to climb behind a giant entertainment center with a HUGE CRT on it, and a stereo system. If you want to come save the environment, by all means, come on over and unplug my stuff. I flick the power strip off when I remember to. It is sort of reachable.

Also, I looked into it, and compared electric bills on the "turned shit off alot" vs. the "didn't bother". It isn't a huge difference. The OTHER power consumers in the house are what you need to worry about. A friggin Sega Genesis and the rest of the vintage gear ain't destroying mother earth.

Do you kill the power to your entire house when you're not using it? No, you don't. Get off your high horse, tool.

2) Foolish with money how? I have 0.00$ debt, a masters degree, a fresh new job, and tons of toys. Now I'm saving for a house. Where's the foolish? Idiot.

3) http://green.yahoo.com/blog/the_conscious_consumer/121/energy-vampires-is-it-worth-it-to-unplug-your-electronics.html << I do most of the other crap and then some, so take your no regard for the environment crap and shove it sideways up your ass.

and after you do that,

http://www.clubchopper.com/photopost/data/500/how-about-a-nice-cup-of-shut-the-fuck-up.jpg

Cause,

http://livingelpaso.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/haters.jpg

[RPG_Fanatic]

I've never unplugged my consoles. Not my NES or SNES as a kid and even now. Also none of my Playstation consoles either. It's just a pain in the ass getting in behind your wall unit and messing around with a million different wires.

I have never unplugged any of my consoles from the 2600 to the 360/PS3/Wii. It's just a pain.

[Arkhan]

I have never unplugged any of my consoles from the 2600 to the 360/PS3/Wii. It's just a pain.

OMG THAT MAKES YOU A FOOLISH WASTE OF ENVIRONMENT, AND UNCLASSY OR SOMETHING.
:rockets::rockets::rockets:
:rocker::rocker::rocker:
:bareass::bareass::bareass:


lol

rob2600, bringin the heat. :devilish:

nothing like basically insulting over half the forum probably, with one dumb remark.

[RPG_Fanatic]

Nicely said Arkhan




Who are you to judge UNPLUGGING VIDEO GAME CONSOLES as what makes someone a classy forward thinker? I do some other crap for the environment that's alot more of an impact than unplugging some crap and saving some energy that the power company can continually generate.

I had this discussion with someone else before and they were on your side of the pissing contest. Shortly after I mentioned doing habitat for humanity, food drives, park cleaning, etc. They didn't have much of an argument left, and neither do you.

1) There is nothing lazy about not wanting to climb behind a giant entertainment center with a HUGE CRT on it, and a stereo system. If you want to come save the environment, by all means, come on over and unplug my stuff. I flick the power strip off when I remember to. It is sort of reachable.

Also, I looked into it, and compared electric bills on the "turned shit off alot" vs. the "didn't bother". It isn't a huge difference. The OTHER power consumers in the house are what you need to worry about. A friggin Sega Genesis and the rest of the vintage gear ain't destroying mother earth.

Do you kill the power to your entire house when you're not using it? No, you don't. Get off your high horse, tool.

2) Foolish with money how? I have 0.00$ debt, a masters degree, a fresh new job, and tons of toys. Now I'm saving for a house. Where's the foolish? Idiot.

3) http://green.yahoo.com/blog/the_conscious_consumer/121/energy-vampires-is-it-worth-it-to-unplug-your-electronics.html << I do most of the other crap and then some, so take your no regard for the environment crap and shove it sideways up your ass.

[dreamcaster]

I just turn off the power points when I'm not using them, usually at the end of the day. A saving's a saving plus I figure it's just unnecessary wear and tear on the power supplies/consoles.

Plus I've had a couple AC adapters with frayed cords finally spark/smoke/blow up so I'm a little wary about leaving older stuff on, unattended.

Plus, during summer, when the temperature is getting around 45 degrees (C), anything you can do to cut down on heat in the house is welcome. :P

[Zing]

Depending on how many devices you have plugged in, the energy and resources spent on manufacturing and shipping the power strip may exceed what you conserve. The money you spend on buying the power strip may exceed what you save on your bill.

[Icarus Moonsight]

I know that I developed the habit of "unplug, when not in use" after having two VCS adapters fry out on us. Wondering WTF, my dad asked the local game wizard/older neighbor kid and he mentioned to my dad that this was not that uncommon when leaving them plugged into the wall. So the new rule was, plug in, play, then unplug or go without when #3 gives out.

Since then, It's all been carry over from that. Power strips just made the whole process a breeze. Their value is not only gauged by the power it saves, also the time and effort exerted on my part. Seconds of time saved per "plug in, use, unplug" piles up over the years. If a $5 product can add a days worth of enjoyment to my life every decade, that's $5 well spent. Power bill saving is just gravy. I've been fighting phantom loads through my gaming systems before I even understood what a phantom load even was. :)

[skaar]

*ramble*
and who are you to judge UNPLUGGING VIDEO GAME CONSOLES as what makes someone a classy forward thinker? I do some other crap for the environment that's alot more of an impact than unplugging some crap and saving some energy that the power company can continually generate.
*ramble*

The power saving does go a long way to helping overall.

In less direct terms, it's great that you do what you do but it doesn't give you a free pass :)

The whole turning things off/unplugging is an easier message to promote and particularly on a classic gaming forum can have some far reaching impact... if it accomplishes nothing else it'll extend the life of older systems.

I think Rob was more calling out your dismissive attitude towards power saving which was what I wanted to address here. Ain't nothing wrong with saving some juice ;)

[jb143]

... even if the console if off, will make the power brick hot to the touch. Since the power supply on modern consoles (like the Playstation 3) have it internally, this generates heat that could potentially increase the risk of a failure, like the RROD or YLOD. Heat is cumullative, so I rather disconnect all possible flow of electricity to make sure there is no heat conduction.


Does the PS3 not have a power switch on the back? Flipping that should be enough.

[Arkhan]

I think Rob was more calling out your dismissive attitude towards power saving which was what I wanted to address here. Ain't nothing wrong with saving some juice ;)

what dismissive attitude towards power saving? I never mentioned anything about power saving, I just said I don't feel like climbing over the mountain o' TV to get to some power bricks. There are easier and more effective ways to save power than climb over a bunch of shit every day.

having the whole thing fall over on me and break my ribcage would cost more than I save.

and unless Rob2600 kills the main power to his house every night because he isn't using all that stuff, then he needs to shut his trap.

[Press_Start]

Guys, two words.....POWER SELECTOR!

Think A/V selector only with electricity. Just plug in the consoles (or power strips) and everything is ready at a push of a button.

It's the centerpiece of my entertainment center. I don't need keep to constantly plug/unplugging consoles and I'm not wasting buttloads of watts. It's a match made in heaven and great for any gamer carrying a good selection of systems.

EDIT: I'm using the Protect It TouchMaster (http://www.google.com/products?hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&q=protect%20it%20touchmaster&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wf)

[Double Ugly]

I usually leave as many things plugged in at one time as I can. Somebody has to use that energy.

[Tsar]

I must admit I never have left any of my consol's plugged in. since the nes days I always packed it away after words. And I still unplug my xbox 360 when I am not playing it(but I am too lazy to pack it away)

[Aussie2B]

I've never heard of it not being okay, short of some paranoid gamers worrying about their Japanese systems. I mean, I also know that many people keep some systems packed away when not in use, but that seems like more of a matter of cleanliness and saving space. I keep the vast majority of my systems out all the time, and they're usually plugged in too. I do really like being able to flip off a power strip switch and do so when the set-up allows, but it simply isn't feasible with my main set-up. I have a big, solid wood entertainment center, with bookcases on either side, and only an inch or so between them. To get to the power strips, I have to pull the entire entertainment center out and squeeze myself back there, which isn't an easy matter. If anyone takes issue with that, well, I think the other things I do to be green amounts to a lot more, like using a steel water bottle instead of buying hundreds of plastic bottles every year like many people. But, yeah, it's nice to be green and save money when possible, but I think a lot of collectors are way too paranoid about the "health" of their stuff. I never unplug my systems out of fear of them not lasting as long, and the less fear-mongering we spread on the matter the better, I say.

[dnehthend]

when I was younger I remember returning my PS GTA disc to blockbuster but leaving the console on for a good week or two, I didn't mind playing without music.

I've never unplugged my consoles, only when I leave town, I get paranoid and unplug everything

[Baloo]

when I was younger I remember returning my PS GTA disc to blockbuster but leaving the console on for a good week or two, I didn't mind playing without music.

I've never unplugged my consoles, only when I leave town, I get paranoid and unplug everything

...How did you manage to get the disc out of the system without the game prompting you to put the disc back in or close the drive door?

[Nikademus1969]

We'd unplug the 2600, mainly because the power supply would get very hot and my parents were afraid something would happen and it would burn the house down. All the other systems I've owned have stayed plugged in unless they were in storage.

[dnehthend]

...How did you manage to get the disc out of the system without the game prompting you to put the disc back in or close the drive door?

as I recall it never had that prompt

though I later had it rigged with a thumbtack to always think the lid was closed

[Arkhan]

...How did you manage to get the disc out of the system without the game prompting you to put the disc back in or close the drive door?

some games will continue to play without the disc in , lol.

I've done it before.

[Enigmus]

I've left my Wii on the Internet Channel for long periods of time, and come home to see the time log reading out an unnecessary 22 hours of play.

Also, I once left my PlayStation on for two days until I could get back to playing Gran Turismo 2. I'm still suprised I haven't worn the drive down doing that with GT2 and Namco Museum.

[Arkhan]

I've left my Wii on the Internet Channel for long periods of time, and come home to see the time log reading out an unnecessary 22 hours of play.

Also, I once left my PlayStation on for two days until I could get back to playing Gran Turismo 2. I'm still suprised I haven't worn the drive down doing that with GT2 and Namco Museum.

i used to leave the PSX on when playing FF7 because I'd get passed something right before having to leave for school, and there would be no save points in sight, lol.

[Red Baron]

i used to leave the PSX on when playing FF7 because I'd get passed something right before having to leave for school, and there would be no save points in sight, lol.

Reminds me of when FF7 first came out, and I was desperate to play it.. I rented FF7 and a PSX as I didn't have one yet, and had to leave it on most of the weekend because I didn't have a memory card so I couldn't save. (Well, left it on until I got to Cosmo Canyon and Gi Nattak killed me, so I had to start over..)

That said, I usually had the space to leave most of my systems out and plugged in, usually in a power strip due to lack of sockets.

However, while I didn't know about power leeching back then, I was amply warned about the constant thunder storms here and the 'friend of a friend had this happen to them' horror stories about having electronics, usually a computer, being fried.

So usually if it starts storming badly and I'm feeling paranoid, or going to be out of the house for a long period of time so I can't tend to it, out those plug come.

Fortunately, despite how cluttered my home is, I at least have my power strips in a place where it's only mildly inconvenient to reach them.

Perhaps I should re-arrange things to make it easier to leave more things unplugged in general, however. I'm cheap enough to love saving a few cents, for certain.

[dreamcaster]

Something I noticed the last time I was in the US, most power sockets didn't have switches on them. Is this the norm? In Australia, it's basically the norm for wall sockets to be switched.

[Arkhan]

Something I noticed the last time I was in the US, most power sockets didn't have switches on them. Is this the norm? In Australia, it's basically the norm for wall sockets to be switched.

the most I have ever seen is they have the little breaker thing in them that sometimes needs pressed to prevent power surges.



SOMETIMES, youll find a house with outlets that are wired to a light-switch deal where you can flick the power off easily.

or accidentally, and then you get mad

[Eduardo]

The only system I leave plugged in is the Dreamcast, because I don't want to enter the date everytime i use it.

I always leave the controllers plugged in, my GC one got stuck, its a bad habit but I use regular controllers almost all the time. I sometimes leave the games on the NES or SNES if there were hard to get going, after they hit the sweet spot I don't want to lose it.

[Zing]

If you are going to leave the PlayStation on, at least open the disc door so the motor doesn't spin the whole time. :)

[Zama]

I kept all my game consoles link up to three or four power surges connector that are all connected to one "master" power surge protector which is within my reach. :dance: Just in case I wanted to save energy on my electric bill, I'll reach for that "master" switch and turn them all off. LOL

[Arkhan]

I kept all my game consoles link up to three or four power surges connector that are all connected to one "master" power surge protector which is within my reach. :dance: Just in case I wanted to save energy on my electric bill, I'll reach for that "master" switch and turn them all off. LOL

except you probably never do flick that master switch, you energy waster! :bday: lol

[BlackandBlue]

I have all my older consoles on separate switches. They are all labeled, so I just flick on the one I want to use. Some DJ equipment company makes the power strips. The newer consoles (this generation) stay on standby. They are on a different TV anyway.

[Jaruff]

the most I have ever seen is they have the little breaker thing in them that sometimes needs pressed to prevent power surges.



SOMETIMES, youll find a house with outlets that are wired to a light-switch deal where you can flick the power off easily.

or accidentally, and then you get mad

My house has these and they are very annoying. Luckily, they're only wired in rooms where I don't have my systems in.

I don't unplug my systems unless I know that I'm not going to use them for an extended period of time. With my current setup, it's not feasible to constantly plug cables and wires in.

[Arkhan]

the only outlets that have them in my house are the ones we plug the vacuum and the blowdriers into.

cause if you run too much of that kinda shit at once , fuzes blow. its no good

[Zama]

except you probably never do flick that master switch, you energy waster! :bday: lol

Oh no no, I have flip the master switch several times this year. xD One of them was on that Earth Hour thing. 8-)

[Arkhan]

I think during Earth Hour, I was asleep in front of the PS3 that I fell asleep while playing, lol.

SAVING ENERGY, KINDA.

[Icarus Moonsight]

Earth Hour? How did they condense all the pretentiousness of Earth Day into a single hour!? That's amazing.

[Shingetter]

Earth Hour? How did they condense all the pretentiousness of Earth Day into a single hour!? That's amazing.

You have to boil out the water.

[danny_galaga]

I got into the habit of leaving things unplugged because I grew up in the tropics. City I grew up in apparently has the highest lightning strike rate of any city in the world! Now I don't live there I still often unplug my consoles when not in use (but not religiously). The only console I have that uses power while plugged in is the Wii. When I eventually set everything up properly, I'll have everything plugged into some sort of surge protector and switch that off when not in use...

Edit: Didn't realise you guys are saying 'unplugged' because you have to! Like Dreamcaster said, In Australia you can just switch it off at the wall. Reason I used to unplug physically of course was because of lightning storms...

[JSoup]

I always thought that whole 'unplug your system thing or else' was just an old wives tale. Hell, I remember people telling me that it was bad to leave the cartridge in the system, or to leave a memory card in a PS1.

[Orion Pimpdaddy]

If you leave your systems plugged in, you waste power and money. The best way is use some type of strip. I actually a Rack Mount Power Supply (the kind that DJs use) which allows me to turn off a system's power without actually "unplugging" it. There's a power button for each outlet on the strip.

Front:
http://www.videogamecollectors.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=276474&g2_imageViewsIndex=1

Back:
http://www.videogamecollectors.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=276485&g2_imageViewsIndex=1

[M15fit]

Oh man, Flashbacks of unplugging and re-boxing the 2600 every time I played it :) I have 2 powerstrips with their individual switch's. I switch off all my consoles, i even unplug the 360's n adaptor unless I want to be online. It makes sense & i'm more paranoid about the last 2 gen consoles breaking in comparison to the golden age.

[JSoup]

I have a friend who rigged a breaker by the front door, so he could kill the power when he goes on long trips.

[Arkhan]

I have a friend who rigged a breaker by the front door, so he could kill the power when he goes on long trips.

is his name Rob2600?

lol

[somesortofrobot]

Most retro gamers know to unplug their Atari 2600, ColecoVision, etc. when not in use.

That's the first time I ever heard of that.

[danny_galaga]

If you leave your systems plugged in, you waste power and money

Depends on how modern. If you have an N64 or a Genesis or something. when you turn it off, it's off. There's no standby or anything...

[megasdkirby]

Depends on how modern. If you have an N64 or a Genesis or something. when you turn it off, it's off. There's no standby or anything...

There is still power flowing through the circuitry.

[Orion Pimpdaddy]

Depends on how modern. If you have an N64 or a Genesis or something. when you turn it off, it's off. There's no standby or anything...

If you touch a Genesis AC adapter that's plugged in, it's warm, even if the system is off. I think the N64 does this too, but it's inside the system.