Do You Turn Off Your Computer When There's a Thunderstorm?
By betlynfrnds
@betlynfrnds (4067)
United States
May 27, 2009 7:02pm CST
Hello Fellow myLot Members,
Yesterday I was online when all of a sudden - BOOM, POW, a loud clap of thunder. Although I wasn't even half way through what I needed to do online I quickly logged off just to be on the safe side.
But as they say, every cloud has a silver lining and here I am the next day, with the weather cooperating, posting my thoughts on this matter.
What about you? When you're online do you shut the system down when the weather gets bad, even if you have much work to do? It may take discipline but I believe it's well worth it. Your system could get fried and even worse, you could get fried ,or at least burned.
13 responses
@SoftSeller (73)
• Canada
28 May 09
When I'm using my notebook computer without the protection of a UPS, I will shut down my computer and unplug it from the wall. However, if I am connected to the UPS, I rarely give it a second thought as I have backups and a warranty against damage to my hardware.
@betlynfrnds (4067)
• United States
28 May 09
That's so cool. I think I'm going to have to look into some of the backups and such. I know my friend keeps his computer either on or at least connected to a power source all the time. I think he may have some kind of protection. I'll have to look into that. Thanks.
@SoftSeller (73)
• Canada
28 May 09
By backups, I meant copies of my data. Most people don't do this and regret it when they lose their precious photos, videos and other irreplaceable files. A UPS will have a backup battery to guard against power outages and most of the time (if not all the time), a surge protector to guard against what might happen if there were a lightning strike in the vicinity of your house or power station. Some power bars offer surge protection but their circuitry is very basic and may not protect you against a very powerful surge (like in the case of a lightning strike).
@betlynfrnds (4067)
• United States
30 May 09
Oh, O.K. I understand. Thanks for clearing that up. Yes, backup disks are crutial.
@migsmartinez (1293)
• Philippines
28 May 09
Hey there! We have AVR's and surge protectors for our computers at home. When the power goes out at home, I make sure to unplug everything so if ever anything bad happens, nothing gets wrecked.
@betlynfrnds (4067)
• United States
28 May 09
Good deal. I think I've heard of AVR. Is that specifically designed for lightning, or a voltage regulator?
@migsmartinez (1293)
• Philippines
28 May 09
It's just a voltage regulator. I don't think there's anything specifically created for lightning strikes
@kkarki44 (132)
• Nepal
30 May 09
I only turn off my computer only. But i did not unplug the connection. i didnot turn of modem too. i had got advised a from people who sells & other computer accessaries the UPS that if i use the ups or volt guard i did not need to have to shut down computer on the thunderstorms as saying it will protect the electrical goods.
I will shut down & unplug as i read all of discussion on this matter
@betlynfrnds (4067)
• United States
30 May 09
I think that's a very good choice. Volt guards may protect your system but... there's always the chance that something may happen.
@roseyroser (1059)
• United States
1 Jun 09
I never turn my computer off in a thunderstorm. I have my computer plugged into a surge protector, so I am not worried. If I wasn't plugged into a surge protector, then I would turn it off during a thunderstorm.
I worked in PC Support at a clothing company and one time there was a bad thunderstorm and a computer that wasn't plugged into a surge protector had a hardware failure. There were many other computers in building that were on during the storm but were plugged into surge protectors and were just fine!
With surge protectors, they only help if you they don't say "Temporary Tap" on the label, usually located on the bottom.
@betlynfrnds (4067)
• United States
2 Jun 09
Thank you so much for that tip. I always thought that surge protectors just helped if there was a sudden change in voltage going to the power source. If I see "Temporary Tap", it won't do any good. I'll keep that in mind.
@x_revenge (284)
• Greece
29 May 09
Actually no, never, neither my computer or anything else, my father had told me I should once but I didn't listen to him and it doesn't even come to my mind anymore...
@betlynfrnds (4067)
• United States
28 May 09
You just ride out the storm (if it's not a bad one). That's good. Just be careful.
@dhisaw (304)
• United States
28 May 09
For the most part I do not shut down. I keep it up and running especially if i am in the middle of something. I do know that if the weather were to get to bad and this has happened before then I completely shut down the computer and unplug it from the outlet. I do know with my computer if something happens to it then at least for the next little while it is covered as long as it is not something self inflicted that I have done to it.
@betlynfrnds (4067)
• United States
28 May 09
It's good to know your system. Sounds like you do. I unplug my gadgets as well.
@jagan19289 (42)
• India
29 May 09
ya surely,i will turn off my computer because virtually the UPS will be still charged on your main connection when the current passes everything will be gone.
so i will not just turn off my CPU.
@betlynfrnds (4067)
• United States
30 May 09
turn it off, disconnect from the wall, turn off the modem, disconnect the phone line from the jack. I think that pretty much covers it.
@May2k8 (18096)
• Indonesia
28 May 09
Well, I don't turn off my computer if my stop contact not overheat. I even sudden with thunder touch my electricity and my computer just reseting. I though it can burn my computer
, I guess my computer covered by 10000 kilowatt anti-lightning.
, I guess my computer covered by 10000 kilowatt anti-lightning.@betlynfrnds (4067)
• United States
28 May 09
Wow, that's some serious protection there May. I suppose with all the great technology that we enjoy, it just makes sense to have the proper tools to protect the things that we rely on.
@biman_s (1060)
• India
29 May 09
I do pull out the cable form the power socket when I turnoff my computer, specially during a thunderstorm. I think, as you have mentioned, it is the best idea to do that as it protect your computer it will stop it from being fried. Just imagine a lighing moving through the electric cables reaching your computer and burning your PC.
@betlynfrnds (4067)
• United States
30 May 09
I have imagined that and I freak out. You can also be in danger of getting an electrical shock which would really be a bummer. So that's good, pull the cable and wait. I think it's worth it.
@animestan (321)
• Canada
28 May 09
Get a surge protector or something. If you just "turn off computer" its still technically connected. YOu might want to turn off the power supply and pull the cord just to be even more safe.
@betlynfrnds (4067)
• United States
28 May 09
Actually, I forgot to mention that. I do disconnect the cord from the wall. In fact, I disconnect every time when I log off. But thank you for your input.
@rosekiss (30380)
• Eugene, Oregon
29 May 09
Where I live, we don't really get thunderstorms. If we did though, no, I don't shut it off, but maybe I should. I use my laptop more than the desktop. The laptop is plugged into an inside wall, so it safer than it if were plugged into an outside wall. My desktop however, is plugged into an outside wall, so I might have to unplug it should we ever get a thunderstorm. I eould hate to be in he middle of posting in here nd it would happen. That would really suck that is for sure lol. I do hae my ipod touch I can use so I am not out of anything if we get a severe thunderstorm. Well, take care and happy mylotting.
@betlynfrnds (4067)
• United States
30 May 09
Hello there,
I know what you mean when you say you'd hate to be in the middle of something like posting and a storm would come. These summer storms happen at the most inconvenient times. They can be so rude. HA!! If you don't get many storms, as you mentioned, that's good. Just consider unplugging to be safe.
Hope you have a great myLot day!!!
