Flyingbronco05 From United States of America, joined May 2002, 3823 posts, RR: 3 Posted (5 years 6 months 2 weeks 2 days 20 hours ago) and read 819 times:
So yesterday I moved into my new apartment. I set my computer up and turned it on. The cable people came and set up the internet and cable TV.
My computer was on from about 3pm till about 10pm when we lost power due to a severe thunderstorm.
I was in the living room when the storm came through and forgot my computer was on. The power went out for a few mins then came back on. Usually if the power goes out, my computer stays off. This time, my computer started right back up.
After the power came back on, the storms left the area. About 30 minutes later, I could see more storms approaching from the west. I put my mouse over the start button (I have XP) and right when I clicked the start button and had my mouse over the shut down button, I simultaneously heard a crack and lightning hit the office building which is 50 feet away and my computer immediately shut off.
I waited for the storms to pass to turn it back on. I turned it back on and the tower goes on for 2 seconds then shuts off.
I tried turning it on a few times from 1030 or so to midnight. I tried again this morning around 8am, and the tower came on and ran for about 30 seconds, then just shut off. The fan works and everything else sounds ok.
I'm about to go to my college campus computer help, but wanted to see if there was anything that can be done?
I had the whole computer plugged into a power strip with a circuit breaker. The circuit breaker never tripped.
I just noticed that on the back of the tower, on the top, is a red "switch" that says 115. I've never seen that before. I'm assuming that's the computers circuit breaker and it popped?
777DadandJr From United States of America, joined Feb 2005, 1516 posts, RR: 15 Reply 2, posted (5 years 6 months 2 weeks 2 days 20 hours ago) and read 801 times:
Quoting Flyingbronco05 (Thread starter): I just noticed that on the back of the tower, on the top, is a red "switch" that says 115. I've never seen that before. I'm assuming that's the computers circuit breaker and it popped?
No, that's not a circuit breaker. That is the voltage switch to change the incoming voltage from 115 to 220. Don't change it. It should be on 115.
As far as why your machine is not running, my guess would be that something got toasted. Just because the breaker on the power strip didn't trip, doesn't mean that something didn't get damaged inside your machine. The internal components are very sensitive, and it doesn't take a huge jolt to fry them.
Because of the myriad of things that could have been effected, my suggestion would be to take it to a qualified repair shop or your college IT dept and have them run tests, starting with the power supply and work inward. The power supply would be the easiest and probably cheapest thing to diagnose and repair. Keep you fingers crossed that it is only that.
Also, my advice would be to dump the power strip and get a real surge protector/battery back up. All my computers (and I have 6) are all connect to an APC. You can get a basic one for about $40. Not too much money for a lot more protection. My preference is for APC brand UPS. (Uninteruptable Power Supply) I feel they make the best ones.
Good Luck with it.
Russ
My glass is neither 1/2 empty nor 1/2 full, rather, the glass itself is twice as big as it should be.
Nighthawk From UK - Scotland, joined Sep 2001, 4797 posts, RR: 47 Reply 3, posted (5 years 6 months 2 weeks 2 days 20 hours ago) and read 796 times:
Get your power supply checked out by a professional. I wouldnt recommend turning it on again until its got the all clear, if its fried and throws out more power than its supposed to, it may well fry the rest of the machine.
N231YE From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 4, posted (5 years 6 months 2 weeks 2 days 17 hours ago) and read 769 times:
Quoting Nighthawk (Reply 3): Also, my advice would be to dump the power strip and get a real surge protector/battery back up. All my computers (and I have 6) are all connect to an APC. You can get a basic one for about $40. Not too much money for a lot more protection. My preference is for APC brand UPS. (Uninteruptable Power Supply) I feel they make the best ones.
After the great blackout around Lake Erie in 2003 (which I got stuck in-no power for like 28 hours, when tempuratures where in the low 90's), I got one of these, and it has saved me a few times
I would second that...dump the strip for a battery backup, to me its worth $40 to protect a $3000 machine.
2112 From United States of America, joined Jul 2006, 12 posts, RR: 0 Reply 5, posted (5 years 6 months 2 weeks 2 days 11 hours ago) and read 730 times:
Quoting Flyingbronco05 (Thread starter): I waited for the storms to pass to turn it back on. I turned it back on and the tower goes on for 2 seconds then shuts off.
I tried turning it on a few times from 1030 or so to midnight. I tried again this morning around 8am, and the tower came on and ran for about 30 seconds, then just shut off. The fan works and everything else sounds ok.
I feel your pain...went through the same thing you did just two weeks ago. Do you hear any beeps when starting the computer? If so, what are they? Was there any burning or ozone smells after the computer initially shutdown? If so, your power supply is most likely dead. If not, did you check the CPU fan? Many PCs will initially startup and then power down if the CPU fan is bad either because the BIOS cannot get a fan RPM reading or the CPU overheats.
Quoting N231YE (Reply 4): dump the strip for a battery backup, to me its worth $40 to protect a $3000 machine.
Quite correct, as a battery backup can properly shutdown your computer in the event of a power outage, greatly reducing hard drive and other equipment failures. Be advised that some UPS devices may not protect your computer equipment in the event that any electrical conduit into your home is struck by lightning. APC (there are others) sells UPS devices that come with insurance in the event your computer is damaged while connected to one of their products; it's worth looking into.
Flyingbronco05 From United States of America, joined May 2002, 3823 posts, RR: 3 Reply 6, posted (5 years 6 months 2 weeks 2 days 7 hours ago) and read 696 times:
Quoting 2112 (Reply 5): Do you hear any beeps when starting the computer? If so, what are they? Was there any burning or ozone smells after the computer initially shutdown?
No beeps, smoke, or any smell.
I took it to a computer repair place recommended by campus. There is currently a 2-3 day wait. I will notify you all once it is fixed on what went wrong.
Rammstein From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 7, posted (5 years 6 months 2 weeks 2 days 7 hours ago) and read 686 times:
Quoting 777DadandJr (Reply 2): Also, my advice would be to dump the power strip and get a real surge protector/battery back up. All my computers (and I have 6) are all connect to an APC. You can get a basic one for about $40. Not too much money for a lot more protection. My preference is for APC brand UPS. (Uninteruptable Power Supply) I feel they make the best ones.
Totally agree. By the way, I have an APC too, 3000A for two PCs + peripherals.
Great product, It's solid like a rock.
BHMBAGLOCK From United States of America, joined Jul 2005, 2694 posts, RR: 6 Reply 8, posted (5 years 6 months 2 weeks 2 days 5 hours ago) and read 661 times:
Quoting Flyingbronco05 (Thread starter): I had the whole computer plugged into a power strip with a circuit breaker. The circuit breaker never tripped.
Unlikely that it would from a power surge. btw, two things most people don't know about cheap surge protectors, i.e. $5-10 from Radio Shack or Wal-Mart:
1. After one good whack, they won't protect you any more. How do you know if this has happened? No way to tell.
2. If the hot and neutral are reversed in your house wiring(all to common), some models will actually amplify the surge.
If you're lucky you fried your power supply. Probably cost you $25-30 for parts plus a minimum labor charge. If not then you probably lost your system board and depending on your warranty, age of the computer, etc., you might want to consider shopping for a new one.
We got three computers in this week that got hit in one construction trailer last weekend. Two system boards and one power supply all covered by warranty.
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