Bad Storms = New Computer

Discussion in 'The Lounge' started by gal1998, Aug 25, 2006.

  1. gal1998

    gal1998 solo-cob

    We had bad storms yesterday here in Mn. I was at work, had my surge protector on, but unfortunately, didn't have the phone line running throught it. Got home from work, and guess what? Computer fried.So, went out and got a new one. Had it built for me.
    Got lots of memory, dual proceesor, dvd burner, etc., so it will be all ready for when Vista comes out. Paid a little more than I wanted, but in the long run, it will be worth it.
    So, I will be on here forever getting all my downloads for protection. It did come with AVG, so am using that for now. I do like Avast better, though.
    Back to the storms for a minute. My Mom and Dad had marble sized hail and lost two trees. Fortunately, they didn't fall on any buildings, so that was good.
    Take care all and have a good weekend.
     
  2. DavidGP

    DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member

    Sorry to hear of the fried PC Gal, but I guess your new one more than makes up for that.

    Wouldnt like to be out in those types of hail storms, that gotta hurt if hit with them?

    Have a good weekend yourself, I know I will as we have a 3 day weekend in the UK :)
     
  3. Cochese

    Cochese Specialist

    Congrats on the new comp, even though the situation sounds unpleasant.
    Did you lose any important data or anything?

    What are the specs on your new comp?
    What do you want to use it for?
     
  4. gal1998

    gal1998 solo-cob

    Didn't lose anything real important thank goodness. I manage my daughter's accounts on here, and had just turned them into lawyer for yearly review, so have that all on paper. Lost my songs, but will just copy them back on here from my cds.
    I use my computer for mainly just surfing, etc.
    I am planning on taking some classes online for graphics this winter, so the memory and such will come in handy.

    OS Name Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
    Version 5.1.2600 Service Pack 2 Build 2600
    OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
    System Name USER-System Manufacturer INTEL_
    System Model D11020M_
    System Type X86-based PC
    Processor x86 Family 15 Model 6 Stepping 4 GenuineIntel ~2800 Mhz
    Processor x86 Family 15 Model 6 Stepping 4 GenuineIntel ~2800 Mhz
    BIOS Version/Date Intel Corp. GC11020M.86A. 3/30/2006
    SMBIOS Version 2.4
    Windows Directory C:\WINDOWS
    System Directory C:\WINDOWS\system32
    Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume1
    Locale United States
    Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "5.1.2600.2180 (xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158)"
    User Name USER-
    Time Zone Central Standard Time
    Total Physical Memory 1,024.00 MB
    Available Physical Memory 517.52 MB
    Total Virtual Memory 2.00 GB
    Available Virtual Memory 1.96 GB
    Page File Space 2.12 GB
    Page File C:\pagefile.sys
     
  5. gal1998

    gal1998 solo-cob

    Oh yes, they hurt!!!!!!!!
    They showed on the news today a little girl putting on a bike helmet and going outside to pick some up where they were. I guess they had hail the size of softballs and tennis balls
     
  6. Cochese

    Cochese Specialist

    Ouch!! Not really, I imagine if you got hit you wouldn't be feeling all that much anymore.

    One thing I like about Texas, it may be hotter than anywhere else right now, but hardly ever have hail.
     
  7. ItsWendy

    ItsWendy MajorGeek

    You might think about investing in a UPS/Surge surpressor. Won't help with a direct strike, but it can be a lifesaver in the borderline cases. Then there are those days the power company just can't make up it's mind (off/on/off/on/brown/on...).
     
  8. Cochese

    Cochese Specialist

    Yes, I use a UPS at work as we are always having power problems.
    The battery doesn't last very long, but long enough to save data and make sure your stuff is okay. Saved me from trouble more than a couple times.
     
  9. G.T.

    G.T. R.I.P February 4, 2007. You will be missed.

    Sorry about your loss gal, but very glad you were able to get such a nice replacement, and not lose anything critical. Lots of heavy storms, lightning, hail, & twisters around here too. I've lost 2 modems to lightning back in the dial up days, but have used a UPS for quite a while that includes filtering the phone line as well, which keeps my DSL modem safe as well as the puter. I've also lost a Klipsch Promedia 4 channel sound system and the subwoofer in my living room to lightning, so these days most of my valuable electronics of whatever type are on at least surge protectors. I love watching lightning storms, up to the point where they start nuking my stuff. LOL.

    I'm a big fan of uninterruptable power suplies for the puter. The good ones not only protect you from power outages, including the annoying quick flickers that are VERY common around here, but can help keep the voltage up to proper levels in summer brownout/low voltage conditions. Much healthier for the puter. And safer. WinXP is pretty good at protecting it's system files during crashes, but you can have your data files corrupted that you're currently working on when it crashes. Win9X was horrible; you'd get corrupted system files from crashes routinely.
     
  10. bigbazza

    bigbazza R.I.P. 14/12/2011 - Good Onya Geek

    I always pull my AC powercord from the wall outlet and remove the phone connection to the phone wall outlet when not using my laptop, at all times (I'm on dialup, at present).

    Too many years in cyclone (hurricane) prone areas to risk my PC.
    If storms are imminent I do not use the PC at all.

    Same thing applies to all electrical equipment (if possible), stereo, stove, TV, etc., if you really want to be safe.

    Fridge, of course, remains plugged in, although it will keep stuff OK for a day or more, unplugged, if you don't keep opening and closing the fridge door(s). Bazza
     
  11. G.T.

    G.T. R.I.P February 4, 2007. You will be missed.


    That's the only sure-fire protection unfortunately. A direct or really near strike can overide and fry anything, including the best surge protection.
     
  12. bigbazza

    bigbazza R.I.P. 14/12/2011 - Good Onya Geek

    Agree totally, G.T ;)
    I'm not going to risk my PC, hoping that surge protection works.
    Even if they maybe covered by "Insurance". :confused:
    $$$'s don't cover the heartache of a lost PC and it's tweaking, etc.
    I guess that's what full (regular) backups are for.:D Bazza

    ===

     
  13. ItsWendy

    ItsWendy MajorGeek

    I have a BBS, which is up 24/7. a UPS is manditory. Brownouts are rare, but they do happen, more often in the form of make/break/make sessions. My wireing to the house is underground, which helps a lot with the lighting issues.
     

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