I was sending some data to a friend over a messenger program today so I left my pc running. I was feeding my dog downstairs while I heard a storm beginning to brew. All I heard was light thunder in the distance and not much fuss. I thought "Hey it's far it'll pass". I walked to my room in order to see how far the files I was sending were at when all of a sudden...
I heard a big bad boom out of the sky that sounded as if it were in my neighborhood. As that happened I watched as my pc screen flashed [blinked] before my very eyes! As a natural reaction [for my dear babies life - yes my pc] I went to the START menu and shut down my pc as fast as possible even though I had heeps of programs running. I than turned the switch to "off" on my dollar store power surge bar [lol yes I've been meaning to upgrade], unplugged the power surge cord from my wall outlet, and finally disconnected the two main phone jacks running to the modem and cordless phone. I sat back in horror as my baby had just been shocked????
Great well this is my first time experiencing anything like this. I'm always around when a storm comes and on time to turn off an unplug everything according to my procedure above. I can't believe I took a risk this time thinking that the storm was afar, and that it was only thunder in the clouds. Believe me I already apologized to my $3000 pc, and used a defibrillator on my heart after that scare. I don't know much about surges or the laws of electricity so I guess that was a surge, the power going out, or the same thing. I don't know much but I do know this... My cheap crummy power surge bar is headed in the trash this week. This is the surge bar I use on my pc:
There are no jacks for phone lines or cable tv lines on it. All it has is a "Reset/Off" switch. What do I have plugged into this crap boy you ask?
1. 22" Inch Tv
2. Vcr
3. Nintendo Wii
4. High Speed Dsl Modem
5.17" Pc Monitor
6. Computer [with/ 450 Watt Psu]
Great well now that we've established the fact that there is so much good stuff plugged into the bar to lose, maybe you can all help me find the right UPS for my needs. Yes I said UPS... Forget these darn throwaway 1990's power surge bars! By the way I am very fearful of losing my computer since it has life long work of data on it, and not to mention very rare parts such as a profession sound card I bought which is around $500. All in all I've invested about $2000-$3000 into my pc. No I am not rich but I do want an adequate UPS to protect my equipment. I'll spend money for protection... But my budget is around $50. If I really have to I will spend more! I love my baby and she can't die on me.
Can you all please answer the following questions by sequence and also add whatever info you wish at the end of your reply:
1. What are the best brand name UPS?
2. What are the best UPS models you know of?
3. What should I be looking for in an UPS?
4. What is the main procedure you should follow when using UPS protection?
[ie: I told you my power surge bar procedure at the beginning of this post, whereas when storms come I turn off my pc, flip the switch to off on the surge bar , unplug the surge bar cord from the wall outlet, and unplug all phone lines going to the modem and my cordless phone.]
5. Are the $10,000 [warranties/guarantees] on all things connected to the UPS they sell nowadays really true?
6. Any more info you would like to tell me about UPS, storms and pcs, or anything about this topic? [since I am very illiterate when it comes to protecting my pc when up against these conditions/situations]
Thank You
Edited by superstar, 01 June 2007 - 01:00 AM.