PC's and thunderstorms..

immoral_angeluk

I was always told to unplug pc's from the phone line in thunderstorms in case a phone pylon was hit and it fried the computer... we now have a wireless connection but I'm wondering what the risks are with having the pc during a thunderstorm?

Idiophreak

One of my routers died whilst a thunderstorm was going on...might just have been unlucky, though..

I suppose your computer *could* still be hurt in a thunderstorm if it's plugged in to the mains, it seems fairly unlikely though...if you're really concerned, have a look at getting a surge protector or UPS unit to protect it...

superscaper

immoral_angeluk wrote: »

I was always told to unplug pc's from the phone line in thunderstorms in case a phone pylon was hit and it fried the computer... we now have a wireless connection but I'm wondering what the risks are with having the pc during a thunderstorm?

Same risk as any electrical equipment plugged into mains. As idiophreak attests, might be unlikely but damage can happen.

superscaper

Advice taken from the Met Office's website:
Unplug all non-essential appliances, including the television, as lightning can cause power surges.

superscaper

Also I think you mean "PCs", not "PC's"

immoral_angeluk

superscaper wrote: »

Also I think you mean "PCs", not "PC's"

lol sorry.... I can hardly spell apostrophe let alone use it...

Sugar_Junkie

I'd recommend the surge protector. I'm pretty sure it's saved damage to my PC twice, once during a thunderstorm, and once when we had a powercut because some idiot cut through a power line. Luckily all that happened was the PC shutdown. Not sure about the phoneline thing though. I never even thought about that.

superscaper

immoral_angeluk wrote: »

lol sorry.... I can hardly spell apostrophe let alone use it...

Must apologise, feeling very pedantic today. I'm rubbish at spelling and grammar and to compensate I've become meticulous in my writing and hence can't help myself when I see others' mistakes.

Zagu

Surge protector.

I got a couple of these, and then a friend told me that when his house got hit and blew up the router and TV and a few other things, the insurance company paid for it all, so he didnt see the point!

angelavdavis

This is spooky guys - I have just returned from home today (I travel for work) and found exactly this has happened.:o

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=478895

I didn't see your post until after I posted myself!

Not only has it blown the router, it looks like it has also taken out the ethernet cards!

Luckily, I had a power surge protector. Looks like I am off to log on to quidco and see what I can find!

Asus_Mobo

superscaper wrote: »

Also I think you mean "PCs", not "PC's"

Must obey thought police :rolleyes:

:rotfl: :rotfl: