laptop power question

I've got an HP Compaq Presario V5000.  It's about 3 yrs old.  The original hardrive shit to bed on me last week. 

 

Because I know a little about computers, and after talking to some friends that know a lot, I'm quite certain the hardrive crashed because I turn the laptop on and off way too often.  I've been doing this because it doesn't a "hibernate" function.  Although, it has a "stand-by" option. 

 

So, my questions are:

1) Is Standby and Hibernate the same? 

2) If so, should use Standby when I leave my machine for several hours?

 

What are the general rules for this stuff guys?  I know I should shut it off if I'm going to be away from it for 8 hrs or so.  Should I just leave it on Standby all the time or should I shut it off, if so, when/why?

 

Thanks.

If you leave it running, make sure you don't put the laptop on a bed, blanket, couch etc

 

A desktop "breathes" from behind ( thus they recommend a 3-6 inches from a wall ) and laptops breathe from underneath

 

I have friends who have blown up laptops because they have left them running and the motherboard overheated and fried ( due to lack of airflow )

 

I personally leave mine on only if I have a hard surface ( table ) to place it on