computer zapped in storm-I think

[zanstar]

storm  hit last night, transformer on pole near house blew, and our electric went out  now only BIOS/CMOS screen shows up, and cannot get out of it.  Can it be fixed, or am I fried?

[sybritt]

A technician once told me that he had someone come in his shop after a storm and their computer got fried. He said he was able to fix it for them but it cost them close to $400.

[xavier]

Swap out the power supply to make a test if it doesnt work its the board.After you get it up & running unvest in a good surge protector.

[GlitchPC]

Swap out the power supply to make a test if it doesnt work its the board.After you get it up & running unvest in a good surge protector.

A surge protector will only protect your electronic equipment from NORMAL electrical spikes.  In this case...you had a massive power surge and an electrical storm.  Surge protectors don't offer much protection from lightning strikes or massive electrical surges.

Your best bet is to unplug your electronic equipment during a storm (not only power cables, but any cables)...since lightning will find the path of least resistance to your computer...and can travel through phone/cable lines and even over your network cables.

So...to make a long story short...sure...get a surge protector...or UPS, but unplug your equipment for guaranteed protection during a thunderstorm.

[xavier]

Having a surge protector is better than not having one.

[BC_Programmer]

he never said it wasn't- he was merely adding that it added zero protection during a thunderstorm over not having one.

during a thunderstorm/electrical storm, having a UPS and saying it's protection from the storm is like holding a pillow in front of you when you get hit by a bus. Not particularly effective, and sure to ruffle some feathers- are you down with that? 

[xavier]

Dah