PDA

View Full Version : Bad Day at Black Rock

20droger
24th of August 2007 (Fri), 12:19
Yesterday, we had a major storm, with buckets of rain and much thunder and lightning.

Even though my computer is protected by a UPS, I shut it down.

THIS WAS NOT ENOUGH!

The computer is a Dell Dimension E510. Like most new computers, it doesn't really shut all the way off.

And, you guessed it, a nearby lightning strike (close enough to make all my fan and dimmer controls go crazy) took out the little circuit board that controls the on-off switch. At least, I think that's what got zapped. It's either that or something in the power supply that supplies keep-alive power to that circuit.
I'll know more later.

The moral is: IN A BAD LIGHTNING STORM, DON'T JUST TURN IT OFF, UNPLUG THE DAMN THING!

Meanwhile, I'm temporarily up and running using my wife's computer, with my hard drive installed. I can only do this while she's at work, so I'm limited to 7:30-5:30 daily.

Sigh!! Just what I needed right now.
Mom27andblessed
24th of August 2007 (Fri), 12:43
Aw that just stinks! Sorry it happened! HUGS
Karl C
24th of August 2007 (Fri), 12:56
Just think of it this way...

When the door of opportunity closes, another window opens. This could be an opportunity to upgrade your computer.

"Yes, honey, I need to purchase a new computer since the lightning strike permanently damaged my existing computer."

;)
BillsBayou
24th of August 2007 (Fri), 13:12
"Yes, honey, I need to purchase a new computer since the lightning strike permanently damaged my existing computer."

;)

"Yes, but we're going to have to take it out of your B&H wish fund." :(
Pete W
24th of August 2007 (Fri), 13:21
Sounds like an insurence claim to me ;)
20droger
24th of August 2007 (Fri), 13:22
"Yes, but we're going to have to take it out of your B&H wish fund." :(
Exactly!! Which I why I'll try the fix-it route first.

Besides, It's only a little less than a year old.
20droger
24th of August 2007 (Fri), 13:23
Sounds like an insurence claim to me ;)
$500 deductible. Hopefully it'll cost much less to fix.
Cassie
24th of August 2007 (Fri), 16:11
That happened to me about 6 months ago, luckily it only took out the DSL Router, I still have a 'light' spot on the monitor though where it should be blue.
JWright
24th of August 2007 (Fri), 19:00
I have my computer and all the peripherals hooked up to a surge protector/switch panel. When I shut off the computer, I turn off the switch panel also. This pretty much isolates the computer from the house circuits.
Eagle
24th of August 2007 (Fri), 19:24
Like most new computers, it doesn't really shut all the way off.


?? ?? ?? ?? ??
20droger
25th of August 2007 (Sat), 15:26
Most new computers, like TVsand other such devices, have a keep-alive circuit within them.

In the Dell, it keeps the front switch alive, which allows controlled activation and prevents an instan-off, which may damage Windows.

The comuter goes to the shop on Monday.
20droger
27th of August 2007 (Mon), 11:09
I'm back up. It took minutes to find the problem. One of the five USB ports available on the back panel was shorted. My choices were:

1: Get a new motherboard = $$$; or

2: Cut a trace and disable that port completely = No charge (not even his posted minimum.

I now have four back-panel USB ports. I can live with that. Hell, If I need more ports, I can always buy a hub!

This is the weirdest computer problem I've encountered since I started programming the 8008 back when Bill Gates was a complete unknown.