System Maintenance

With summer storms, what can I do to protect my PC?

The first thing you should do when you hear a storm approaching is unplug the phone cord from your modem (or from the jack in the wall). This is MANDATORY; lightning travels through phone lines quickly. Your modem may be fried within seconds of a strike, and it just may take the rest of your PC with it. So don't forget the phone cord! The "duh" factor is also at play: unplug everything from the wall. Unless you're in the middle of something important, I'd suggest cutting power manually before Mother Nature does it for you. I'm not saying you have to become a slave to the weather report, but I'd unplug as soon as you hear the first thunder clap. Make sure any REAL windows around your PC are closed. I suggest keeping the front of your monitor clean with a non-abrasive solution, but if the internal components are exposed to too much moisture, you're going to have an expensive repair on your hands. Of course, water and desktop computers don't mix. Keep them separated as much as inhumanly possible. And you might think of doing something fun until the storm completely passes!