Computer might be fried

A

airtj

Charter Member
I get home from the airshow at Hill AFB, go downstairs and notice that the modem isn't on. Power cycle the modem nothing. Tried turning my computer on and nothing happens. Went back to the modem and take a look at and hear things moving around inside, smell it and smell a fired electronic smell. Take computer in to have a looked at. I will not know the outcome for a couple of days. I've never experienced a power surge through a phone line before.
 
Yep, it happens a lot here in Texas - fired the entire system right up the up phone line thru the Modem and into the computer - twice!!! Good luck and take care.

Ed
 
I had lightning run in on one years ago through the modem card via the phone line. Took out the modem, motherboard and power supply. Good thing it was only 3 days old and the shop that built it, fixed it for free.
 
That's why I invested in an APC UPS with Battery Back-up one of the things I like about it is that everything including goes through surge protect first. It has saved my rig a couple of times. If power goes out it gives me about a half hour of power to save and shut down. Filters power coming in sounds alarm when there are power spikes. Was well worth the investment.
 
That kind of protection is excellent, and it's on my "to-do" list. In the meantime, I watch the weather carefully. If it's storming nearby, I unplug the computer AND the telephone line, based on the recommendation of the firm here in Brunswick that built it for me. This is a pretty good precaution to take no matter what, in particular if you know you're going to be out of town for a while (i.e., work or vacation).
 
I have all kinds of protection but, just to be safe, I still turn off my computers and unplug then if there is even a hint of thunder here in South Georgia. I'm afraid that I learned to do that the hard way....had a lightening strike take one out through the modem.

RD
 
Definitely worth getting the battery backup/surge protection. You basically pay for the level of protection and should expect to spend from $60 to $200. Mine came with a CD which when installed will do an orderly shut down if the plug comes out of the wall and protect the baby from bad jolts. I think they probably all do a good job but some evaluating and checking would be a good idea first.
 
After getting the phone line fixed the technician noticed that the previous sub contractor had improperly wired the line into the box. The incoming line should have been hooked up to a breaker which will pop if over voltage occurs. Have to wait and see what the phone company can do.
 
Breakers in an electrical panel are for over loads (amperage) not voltage. Surge or lightning arresters are protections against over voltage.
 
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