2006-07-23 17:43:35 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Computers & Internet ➔ Other - Computers
Yeh, i have a blown PC to prove it... :(
2006-07-23 17:46:29 · answer #1 · answered by WhiteHat 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. You should turn off all major appliances for a couple of reasons ... if lightning strikes and reaches the appliance, it's a goner (TV, Radio, Computer, Toaster ... could be anything plugged into the wall). Even some surge protectors don't entirely eliminate this possibility. Speaking of surge ... another reason to turn appliances off. If the power goes out and then comes back on again ... all items that were running will come back on at the same time, creating a huge "surge" or drain on the power supply. This, also, could damage your computer, your a/c, your TV, etc.
So, when in doubt, turn it out (off) during a thunderstorm.
Good Luck
2006-07-23 17:50:58 · answer #2 · answered by shaffer56 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A surge protector is fine as long as you spend a lot of money on one and get a guarantee that they will replace your computer if it's zapped by lightning. Even at that, you could potentially lose everything on your hard drive, so make daily backups.
Having said that, I'd highly recommend just unplugging the power cord AND phone line or cable from the computer. Lightning can be thousands of volts at thousands of amps, and if it wants to eat your computer, don't even give it the chance. That surge protector will also have to be replaced if you rely on it. Just unplug everything.
2006-07-23 17:51:36 · answer #3 · answered by shoeless_cyberjunkie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
u should turn off everything during a thunderstorm. if u dont have a serge protector, and ur house wiring is zpped, then everything exept what is in a surge protector will be zapped, so basicaly people only stress about computers because they are expensive.
2006-07-23 17:47:39 · answer #4 · answered by Kristofer 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. You can buy a battery back-up, though, with surge protection - I have one of these. The moment it senses a change in voltage, it switches your computer to battery power. If the power goes off, your computer will continue to run [without problem] long enough for you to turn it off. (Time will depend on your monitor size and how much stuff you have hooked up to your computer.) When the power comes back on, the battery backup will prevent a surge of power to your computer.
2006-07-23 17:50:02 · answer #5 · answered by Wild Cherry 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Surge protectors will not protect your computer from lightning.
You should not only turn it off, you should unplug it from the wall socket. And, you should unplug the phone line as well.
Lightning is far more powerful than any protective devices designed by men.
2006-07-23 18:01:33 · answer #6 · answered by Left the building 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, otherwise a spike can fry the logicboard amongst other things. Unless you have a good surge protector or battery backkup.
2006-07-23 17:47:00 · answer #7 · answered by Sly 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes and no...depends on how you have it plugged up or if your are using a wireless connection. Your best bet is to use a surge protector. This prevents damaging your pc.
2006-07-23 17:53:09 · answer #8 · answered by esque29m 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you have an automatic voltage regulator w/ surge suppressor, there's no need to turn your PC off.
2006-07-23 17:46:52 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes u should i never do really unless the lightining is bad cuz if lightning struck it could fry ur computer and u would have to buy a whole new system
2006-07-23 17:46:09 · answer #10 · answered by insane3639 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well you should if you don't have a surge protector cause you don't want your computer to fry..
~matt
2006-07-23 17:46:19 · answer #11 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋