2006-10-03 10:08:03 · 10 answers · asked by Kris B 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Laptops & Notebooks
Anything goes with a thunderstorm. A direct hit can wipe out anything. But even local surges can do damage. But a Surge Protector won't help in these cases.
Yes, you can unplug EVERYTHING. If you have LOTS of electronic toys in your house, consider getting a WHOLE HOUSE Transient Surge Protection system. Your power company can add this to your service. Your electrician can too.
2006-10-03 10:52:37 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nothing. Unless of course lightning strikes a power source and the current enters your computer then you could have all sorts of crazyness happen.
Use a good surge protector not these crap ones they sell at Wal-Mart if Dell offers you one with a system then get it you'll get it cheaper from them than anywhere else. Yeah people will say but Wal-Mart has one for 10$ and i say it's not worth 10 cents. Best bet is get a surge protector with a backup power supply from APS. Surge protectors help minimize damage but overtime they will need to be replaced.
If it's a direct strike then it may not save the system so make sure the protector has a warranty and make sure it has jacks for your cable and usb connections and phone jacks. You can unplug it all just by pulling a cord or two in case the lightning is really close.
also don't confuse a power strip with a surge protector. Power strips just act like a regular power cord.
2006-10-03 10:45:17 · answer #2 · answered by sprydle 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
However... it is still very important to have a surge protector because there are less damaging storms than what these dudes have described. I lost a power supply to a surge and on another occasion I lost a hard drive and a router. Very expensive so it's best to be covered.. And i'm not sure about the USA or wherever you are but in England you can get them from home improvement stores like B&Q etc. and they all offer £10,000 coverage
Wonderful
2006-10-03 10:36:26 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If a lightning strike is real close or direct your computer will fry.
Some people will say use a surge protector. Well the best surge protector in the world will not help you from a direct lightning hit
Always best to unplug during servere close electrical storms.
2006-10-03 10:13:26 · answer #4 · answered by jibberjabar 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well they can get fried if there is a big power spike. Surge protectors help but they won't stop lightning. UPS help more that surge protectors but again a good direct hit will still go through it. They can even be damaged if they are off but plugged in and even the phone line can do that.
That said I leave mine run.
2006-10-03 10:23:44 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes you can lose files, and programs, or your cpu can crash if the power goes out. So you have to turn off your cpu before a thunderstorm. Every time there's a bad power outage at my house, my internet gets messed up and Comcast doen't come and actually fix it for a month. Comcast sucks.
2006-10-03 11:13:08 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
always unplug your powercord and phone connection during a thunderstorm. a direct hit to the powerline will burn it out and maybe set your house on fire. i know a guy this happened to.
those surge protectors won't help you when that happens.
sometimes nothing helps. i saw lightning go through a closed glass window one afternoon without breaking the glass. it barely missed me.
2006-10-03 10:12:57 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
if lightning strikes the computer box you will lose the whole computer so you have to turn it all the way off
2006-10-03 10:37:00 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
they operate the same way they would all the other times.
2006-10-03 13:45:18 · answer #9 · answered by csalm87 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
power surge = wipeout!!
want one? no circuit breaker and you will.
2006-10-03 10:16:16 · answer #10 · answered by flowerpet56 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋