Lightning

We have a PC running Windows XP plugged into a Surge protector/battery backup. Apparently it inadvertently got plugged into the wrong (unprotected) side. We had a storm and now the PC won't come on....
Any advice on where to start to troubleshoot the problem and how to go about finding out "all" the issues it might have now? We are guessing the power supply is shot but what else should or can we expect to find?

thanks,
Deb

 

Do any leds on the tower light up when you turn it on? Do you hear any fans running?
If not it's more likely to be the power supply.
If the leds light and/or fans run then the power supply is probably ok and the problem could be the mothernoard.

 

Your average surge protector will not protect you against a lightning strike, it is just too powerful you are talking about thousands of Volts.
I lost the lot including the surge protector. In most cases Insurance will pay for it if you can proof that there was lightning in your area.
Good luck
hawk22

 

Let us know what you find, as this one is intriguing!

 

Mudlet,

Chances are good to very good that your power supply is toast. jparnold gave you a good "probability" guideline but the presence of leds lighting up or fans running is by no means an acid test. I've seen plenty of blown PSUs that will still trigger some form of activity. Your easiest approach is to replace the PSU for starters but you can get a shop to test it using a PSU tester and/or a multimeter. Be careful - that could cost as much as a new PSU if there is a minimum charge policy in place.

Usually the circuitry in the PSU will prevent damage beyond its own destruction but lightning can be funny stuff. Often, the most destructive "strikes" come in through a modem line, cable or LAN connection and they are usually the "board burners ". However, when discussing lightning or voltage spikes or brownouts (under power condition) anything is possible.

You mentioned you had a UPS on this and not just a surge protector. Thats encouraging but doesn't mean you have escaped the worst. If you have a shop write up a repair estimate that references a lightning strike, your homeowners insurance should cover it but with the deductable, you're not going to see any money unless you had considerable damage to other things in your house.

One quick story to underscore Hawk's point. Several years ago my parents house took a direct hit. Lightning jumped from a tree into the house and grounded on a copper pipe joint connecting to an attic hot water heater. Not only did it flood and collapse a bedroom ceiling, it also took out several circuit breakers, the phone system, five TVs, 3 VCRs, a freezer and some stereo components. Several devices had "blow fuses" in them which did little good. My dad also had two computers - one on a surge protector and the other on an APC UPS. The one on the battery backup sufferd no damage whatsoever while the one on the surge protector was toast.

Bottom line here. Just as Arie said, "if you're lucky its only the power supply ".

 

Just to put another of my "2 bob's worth in ".
Many years ago we had a very near lightning strike (think it hit the local transformer which would have caused a big spike down the power line).
Our TV didn't work after this.
Reason - power supply.
Hope that you are as lucky with your PC as we were with the TV.

BUT, Mudlet, how about letting us know what has happened since your original post which was some days ago now.

 

Exactly!

 

There is one consolation here, they say Lightning never strikes twice at the same place.

 

[FONT= "Arial Black"]LOL[/FONT]
Oh My!

 

Oh, that's not nice!
And just when we thought it was safe to go back in the water!