I used to have what's called an Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS) which basically gives ur computer a constant voltage supply. I live here as an expat in Manila btw. Recently the UPS got busted and the computer is directly plugged into the socket which makes it vulnerable to voltage fluctuations etc.
We don't exactly suffer black outs ever. I want to know how urgent it is to get something to replace the UPS and if there's a cheaper alternative.
Your answers are much appreciated.
Eefa
2006-09-11 04:28:38 · 11 answers · asked by Eefa 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Desktops
IF YOU HAVE SERIAL ATA HARD DRIVES YOU NEEED UPS ON THE MACHINE OR ELSE YOUR HARD DRIVE WILL BE UNMOUNTABLE
2006-09-11 04:31:47 · answer #1 · answered by fyablaz 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
$20, Spend the money on a new surge protector. 2100 joules and make sure all other plugs used for auxillary devices are also on the surge protector. Purchase another $5 outlet to extend the surge protector.
Have an electrician check the outlet and correct if needed. There are three wires which are important and they are often not correct. Hot-Neutral-Ground all must be in use to protect the computer properly. Ask a handyman or electrician to verify all outlets used for computers.
Don't be cheap. My son didn't check his outlet and fried his Mac because the old style outlet didn't have a ground wire and he cut the ground so he could plug it in.
No shortcuts. Check the outlet and purchase a good quality surge protector.
2006-09-11 04:43:34 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This happened to me. I was sitting at home and I heard this weird noise like something fell. I looked around and couldn't find anything. So a couple minutes later I noticed a fire truck outside my house. So I go outside and there is a fire truck on virtually every corner near my house and two heliocopters flying around. Someone ran into a utility pole and sent a power surge through the lines and started a couple house fires. Suddenly I knew what that noise was. I went home and turned on the computer and it was dead. It wasn't even turned on when the surge hit but it was fried. Along with the monitor and my TV. And it didn't even blow a fuse.
UPS is great but at least get a good surge protector. It's cheaper than a new computer.
2006-09-11 04:40:53 · answer #3 · answered by RY33 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Running without a surge protector is like playing ice hockey or football without pads. It is not a question of if your system will be damaged, but when. Do not go cheap... You get what you pay for and a cheap protector is liable to be as bad as none at all. I always recommend APC brand power products. A good APC UPS device (Uninterruptable power supply) includes a great surge protector and gives the added benefit of keeping the system powered long enough for you to properly shut it down in the event of a power failure. Oh yes and the guarantee includes resitiution in case your system is damaged while hooked up to it.
2006-09-11 04:39:34 · answer #4 · answered by sparrownightmare@verizon.net 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Many UPS devices now have protection against power fluctuations which could damage your mother board or other devices plugged directly into the motherboard. A surge protector helps but neither device is 100% safe against a brown-out (Brown-outs are quick power outtages that only seem to last a split second or two. When one happens your pc might not even get shut down, but it could ruin the power supply on the PC.) If you want my advice I'd say a surge protector is plenty if you do not suffer black outs or brown outs.
2006-09-11 04:33:35 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you don't need a UPS, a surge protector is still a good idea. It protects against damage from sudden spikes, such as when lightning strikes near the power lines. You can get a basic outlet strip with a built-in surge protector for next to nothing. Of course you get what you pay for to some extent, but any protection is better than none.
2006-09-11 04:37:06 · answer #6 · answered by ConcernedCitizen 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would say that while a UPS is a good idea its only really useful with buisnesses. A surge protector is a great idea as a strike from lightning for example could take your pc out. Some like belkin also have a ups built in so you have the best of both worlds.
2006-09-11 04:35:13 · answer #7 · answered by Tiger 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You blew a number of my brains out with element. No kidding. sure you will desire to have a surge protector on your device, and you could no longer connect the printer on the comparable strip by using fact of its various contemporary standards. so which you decide directly to have your computer and computer screen and audio device surge risk-free, and your printer too, yet that must be on a separate strip and plugged right into a different outlet. Get strips with the optimal joule suppression score you will locate and take care of to pay for. Lightning trashes each and everything, and in the adventure that your dad activates a capability observed or something contained in the basement you could desire to be screwed too. If an equipment shorts out or an air conditioner activates you're screwed. you decide on 2 strips, one for the products and one for the printer and/or FAX. Now, in case you purchase an united statesall that stuff comes with it. See in case you could take care of to pay for an UPS.
2016-09-30 14:06:07 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Use Surge Protector till u get UPS.
2006-09-11 05:20:44 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the cheapest alternative is to replace the surge protector NOW.you don't have to have black outs to destroy your PC,it can be a storm,a power surge from electric suppler,etc and there is no way of knowing when one will occur
2006-09-11 04:34:26 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
just get a normal power extension with SURGE PROTECTOR
that should work with out any problem
2006-09-11 04:33:48 · answer #11 · answered by madeniggaz83 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋