computer/thunderstorm tip

[chickenjohn]

Nothing to do with Moggies, but its a good idea to unplug your computer from the phone line during thunder storms (like we have right now in East Kent), I had a modem blow a few years ago due to a very close strike whilst I was on line, and I know a friend whose whole PC was blown......

[salty_monk]

I've never had or heard of anyone have one go... it's not that common but still good advice.... Most of the anti surge extension leads come with an anti surge phone line connection on them now too.. saves the hassle....

[chickenjohn]

We have quite a few thunderstorms here in East Kent, and that occasion (after a particularly heavy storm) most of the computer shops in Thanet had sold out of modems- lots of other folk had the same happen to them.

Not so bad with a £10 modem card, but a more expensive broadband box??

[Cam]

It's not that common but can be quite devastating when it happens.... my ex-collegue Steve had his whole PC destroyed through the 'phone line during a thunderstorm. He lived in a remote(ish) area of congleton and the strike hit HIS supply pole!

Good advice John!

[lowedb]

I've had an answer machine die after our line was hit (microprocessor died) and it made noises exactly like blown up electronics in films do. And we all know they never do that in reality, do they?

[Kevin]

Most of the anti surge extension leads come with an anti surge phone line connection on them now too.. saves the hassle....

Well working for a comms company, when I was a field engineer I have seen the effects of nearby strikes which has blown things across the rooms including the phones and sockets, and even attended a house whose chimney stack had taken a direct hit and that melted all the phones light switches & sockets and turned the TV into an interesting shape as for the kitchen appliances........
So I am with John when you have local lightning as no applieces can have sufficient protection.

[bigginger]

Keep in mind all the advice about 'pinches of salt' &c, but this REALLY happened... Once, in London, about half an hour after a thunder storm, a ball of lightning emerged from the fire place, hovered in the middle of the room for a second or two, and then decided to earth itself via the Ansaphone and TV/video. Lots fo melted plastic and blown fuses - It's not just your computer at risk! As far as I know, no lightning has struck in the same place since

[Kevin]

If thats the case Andrew I think those of us in the London area should be grateful you are in Somerset

[brixtonmorris]

far out Bigginger!

[DMC]

My pc's PSU was blown by a thunderstorm a few years ago. Everv since then whenever there is a thunderstorm my wife and I make sure that the modem and the computers in the house are unplugged.

[les]

Nice to know a ten year old thread can still be revived !

[Chipper]

I spotted a PC that had suffered a major burnout (of the power supply unit, I think) at a nearby scrapyard this week - all charred black on the back of the casing.