is true you can't use a computer when there is thunder and lightning??

Question

if it's true... then why????????

Answer 1

Let's put it this way... you shouldn't you goof... Want to risk recking your computer or maybe getting shocked?

Answer 2

Let's clear this up.

I haven't heard this from anyone before, but I've been turning my computer off during lightning storms for years anyway. Why? If lightning strikes a telephone pole in the area, it will send a surge of well over a million volts across the line and fry your computer.

An interesting note is that it will fry your computer even if it's turned off. It will also fry your computer even if you have a surge suppressor. More worrisome is that it will fry your computer even if you have an EXPENSIVE surge suppressor.

Distant lightning storms aren't usually anything to worry about with computers (except for the occasional positive bolt which can travel 30 miles)

It's the ones where you count less than two seconds between flash and thunder that you should worry about. Unplug the computer from the wall. Unplug the phone line from the computer, unplug DSL or cable modem from the wall. In other words, electrically isolate the computer from the outside.

Simply shutting off the computer doesn't work as some parts inside the computer still have power and are turned on. (The power button is a 'soft button' that tells the motherboard to turn on the rest of the power supply for the computer.)

As far as power outages, do you _have_ to play World of Warcraft right now?

Answer 3

Did you also know that your car won't start if the power goes out.
True.... you shouldn't use your computer if there is a lightning storm - or your telephone either. Electrical surges can cause damage to your computer and other household devices.

Answer 4

You can use a computer just fine. The worry is that lightning may strike something that has a direct route to your computer - i.e. phone line, power line, that bit of LAN cable you routed via the roof and patched into next door's T3, etc.

If one of those lines gets hit, there can be a power surge sent down that can fry some / all (probably all) of your box. Get one of those power surge protectors to protect it and stop worrying.

Answer 5

Well, if the lightening hits the power lines, it will travel down to your house and follow the wires to your computer and POW, you won't have a computer anymore and if you happen to be close enough when this happens you could get zapped too. You should always protect your computer with a power surge protector and if you can, unplug it during electrical storms.

Answer 6

No...You can use it when it is storming and lighting. BUT....make sure you have your computer pluged into a power surge protector. And that you have a option on your computer it the power flashes that your computer goes stright off, instead of off and right back on. It causes hard drive damage. Hope this answered your question. OH by the way my computer stays on 24/7

Answer 7

Well you can continue to use your PC but should you have a power outage you will lose any unsaved documents etc... you are working on. Also It will cause your windows to shut down incorrectly. But for the most part its not to bad.

PS if your house is struck by lightning and your houses electrical system is not grounded it can fry your PC

Answer 8

no