I hit power button while computer was on

[mike(]

What happens if I hit the power button while the computer is on? Does it ruin my computer if it shuts down abruptly? I think all my unsaved files are gone, but what about the hard drive?

[Maximiliam]

It is not good to just hit the power button or cut the power to your computer abruptly. You will loose data, all your open files that are not saved will be gone and there might be file corruption if the harddrive was saving when you hit the power button / cut the power.

But for the actual harddrive being damaged, you can stop worrying, it will be fine. All that might happen is that some files will be corrupt and have to be replaced.

I should not worry too much though, all modern computers will shut down the computer properly when you press the power button, just do not hold it in for longer than 4 seconds and you will be fine.