i'd definitely avoid using the handy pass through power connection on the power supply, it's not hard on the power supply particularly, but it is hard on the power switch (whether electronic or mechanical) and will definitely shorten the life. also, if you have allot of peripherals, it's a good idea to turn one on at a time every 2-3 seconds or so, when modern power supplies are turned on many of them look like a brief short circuit to the power line. this may occasionally blow breakers, but more importantly it's hard on the wiring and will lead it to fail prematurely, especially if you've been cursed with aluminum wiring, but even with copper it's not a great plan.
the only reason to turn on external drives before the mac is to make sure they've spun up before the mac looks for them, if they don't spin up fast enough they won't mount by themselves, although how long the mac waits for them can be changed on the older os versions. laser printers also tend to draw allot of power when first started up or printing the first page, they have to warm up the "fuser" which typically draws 1000 watts or so. definitely don't plug a laser printer into the pass through outlet or into a ups unless it's a very large ups that can handle it. also consider that the power switches on many outlet strips are flaky and may not last forever, although i suppose it's easier to replace the power strip than to replace the power switch on a peripheral when it fails so there are some advantages to using the switch on the power strip. however, if you're like me you may catch yourself turning off power before letting the mac properly shut down. i did this myself when i unceremoniously unplugged everything earlier tonight, forgetting that the computer was on even though the monitor was off. no permanent damage but it can play havoc with the file system on the hard drive. gregg hillmar wrote: > > Having seen more than one power supply go up in flames, I would be > careful about overloading the one in your mac. Even with JUST a monitor, > they can and will fry. --------- -- Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are ruined. - Patrick Henry, during Virginia's Convention to Ratify the Constitution (1788) -- G-List is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Refurbished Drives | -- We have Apple Refurbished Monitors in stock! | & CDRWs on Sale! | Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> G-List list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml> Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/g-list%40mail.maclaunch.com/> Using a Macintosh? Get free email and more at Applelinks! <http://www.applelinks.com>
