Should I shut down my computer when a thunderstorm approaches? Any other precautions I should take? What am I risking if I don't?
There's one on the way.
2007-04-24 16:05:11 · 18 answers · asked by Alice K 7 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Desktops
WOW! What a STORM! Luckily, thanks to all of you, my computer was turned off and unplugged when it hit--the power went off about an hour after I posted the question.
Not so luckily, I was in the tub with a book when it hit. But that's another story.
Anyway, thanks to everybody for your advice.
2007-04-25 00:56:37 · update #1
yea, i live in texas too...if you have your computer plugged directly into the wall then yes, shut it down and unplug it. I you have a good surge protector you can leave it plugged in but if a bolt of lightning hits your houde it will fry your processor and motherboard because a bolt of lightning with like 100 million volts of electricity will overload any surge protector. If lightning strike a little ways away and you power goes out a surge protector will make sure you computer is ok still.
2007-04-24 17:04:55 · answer #1 · answered by Scott S 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As long as you have a surge protector you should be good to go. As a precautionary measure though, you could still unplug it from the wall. From past experience, surge protectors do not always work. Risk wise, a power fluctuation could fry your computer. The hardware inside is set to operate at certain voltages, if this is exceeded then *poof*.
2007-04-24 16:16:21 · answer #2 · answered by thebob1313 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Anything connected to your house wiring, telephone lines or cable TV lines is vulnerable during a lightning storm.
Get a good surge suppressor, that has jacks for the phone and the cable too, and use them.
Safest thing to do it turn off AND unplug. You decide how much trouble you are willing to go thru vs how much risk you are willing to take.
A lighting strike that goes thru your ground, wiring, phone or cable can fry your PC and any other electronics.
Even a voltage drop can harm your electronics. You know, those times when the lights dim for a second? Bad news!
2007-04-24 16:14:10 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yep, shut it down and unplug it. Printers and anything else that could be damaged by a surge. Very common. Most surge protectors are no match for a lightning strike. That much voltage will just smoke them.
2007-04-24 16:09:22 · answer #4 · answered by AK 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's possible that the computer could suffer damage, but not probable. If you're not using your computer at the time, there's no reason why you shouldn't shut it down. It might help if you plugged your computer into a surge protector.
Your computer could lose data or possibly functionality in some or all of its parts, it just depends.
2007-04-24 16:09:59 · answer #5 · answered by Lizzi 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
YES i left my on had surge protector and lightning hit the house blow the computer up big time sparks and everything came out the back of the tower
2007-04-24 16:13:25 · answer #6 · answered by rod m 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your computer should already be connected to a surge protector, but to be safe I would turn it off. If electricity flickers this could harm your computer.
2007-04-24 16:11:43 · answer #7 · answered by Julie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Shut it down. If lightening hits your computer while it is plugged in it could and will fry it. Also take out the battery if laptop.
2007-04-24 16:09:51 · answer #8 · answered by Marissa 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
make sure you have a surge protector, also turn off your TV and unplug the aerial and if you want to make doubly sure unplug your modem from the phone line
2007-04-24 16:09:24 · answer #9 · answered by sunnybums 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just don't use any cheap surg protector, buy a good one. The same should be done for all your expensive electronic equipment.
Peace
2007-04-24 16:10:11 · answer #10 · answered by coffeemate 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋