I don't. Like right now. I hear thunder, I got a thunderstorm warning from my weather alert on my desktop a few minutes ago, but here I am, sitting here...
I hate having to turn the computer off just because of a stupid storm. Lately I've been either brave or foolhardy and haven't been doing it. Should I? Does anybody else live dangerously like this? I do have my hard drive backed up regularly.
[question posted by philjas]
responses and comments:
i dont, i feel protected with my avr and surge protector [hotviper]
OMG a power cord costs 50 bucks? i sure feel lucky being in the tropics, we seldom have lightnings [hotviper]
If it's really bad I try to turn off the computer. From time to time the lights will go out and that will cut everything off in the house. Sometimes it will flash and come back on but if then sometimes it might stay off. I don't have the guts like you to keep things on through a storm. [twallace]
i turn off my computer if the weather gets really seriously ... i do this because i have previously experience with this ... once my modem is dead, that was no problem, them are so cheap to buy ... but once my motherboard was dead, this things are really expensive ... so now i am cause with this things [MatejScorp13]
why do you have to turn off your computer when a thunderstorm starts since all i use is a laptop and i have a laptop but i removed the screen because the brightness did not want to go up so when i use it i use an external monitor. [psphacker]
Yes I leave mine on; even during the worst storms. There was one night I was on my computer when lightning struck, and my computer flashed on and off. Lucky nothing happen to it. I didn't want to risk something happening the next time it storms so I went out and bought surge protector. [know21]
If it gets really bad...high winds etc then I do turn it off. But just a storm passing through I don't heed the experts.....I just keep on using it! LOL [jillhill]
no. that was also my worries when i had my internet connection hooked. one time, there were thunderstorm so i worry too much. then i called the wifi company and asked them if it is ok not to turn off the computer when there are thunderstorm. i was afraid thunder might hit the cable, since it is connected to the computer it might cause fire... you know, am kind a paranoid sometimes :D the wifi company assured me, it is alright not to turn off computer even there's thunderstorm. and if the power fluctuate, computer is still safe. computers are manually operated... :) [hornetlover]
Here's the deal. Your information is backed up which is excellent. If you have a decent UPS (uninterruptable power supply) and/or surge protector even better. Especially one that will protect not only your ac plug but your phone line (if dialup or dsl) or coax (for cable). Only then would i not be concerned with thunderstorms affecting my computer. Yet your average user does not have these things. Most have a generic powerstrip bought from Wal-Mart in hopes it will protect their system. It will not. i still get computers brought in that are damaged during thunderstorms. Usually it's the powersupply which is only a twenty dollar part. Not a big deal. Sometimes though the motherboard will be fried. Still not a very expensive FRU (field replaceable unit) usually costing no more than a hundred dollars. Not so long ago i got one in that was completely toast except for the hard drive (none of my diagnostic scans found problems but it could still have been damaged). Do i shutdown my computer during an intense thunderstorm? Only if i think the power could completely shut off. Only out of habit. [drzeuss]
Well I guess I am the odd one out. I do as my computer is kinda close to a window. I was struck by lightning on my bike at 14 years old. I had to have a filling in a tooth replaced with a crown because I got a radio station on it at night and could not sleep. But I still love a good storm. [muscles4me]
I've been a fool for about 10 years now. (Actually, my friends swear its been longer than 10 years.) It's got to get really bad before I shut mine down. I usually think about it until the power goes off. Then I go thru DTs until the power comes back on. I guess I've just been lucky, but I've never lost one to a thunderstorm. shocked [LadyMarissa]
Do you think we just jinxed ourselves??? shocked [LadyMarissa]
I don't. I didn't last night. I felt a little guilty, though. Hee hee! [kipluck]
It depends on how bad of a thunderstorm is coming. if it is gonna be really bad then, yes i turn it off but if it is not bad then i will probably keep it on in less we lose power i try and always turn if off when there is a big one coming though because i feel safer with it off.. i don't wanna take the chance of losing anything and i don't back up my hard drive and i'm not sure if i even know how lol but i do save my pictures and videos on CDS and stuff but that is only after i have a bunch built up. you probably should turn the computer off but a lot of people and sometimes i think it is okay to leave it on. just have to be really careful [sameroad]
No I don't always. That is why I have a surge protector right? So I do not have to worry so much about the storms! [LouiseKnittel]
I never turn off the computer when there's a storm outside. I know I should, because when the power goes out it damages my computer. But I'm too much of an optimist. I keep thinking that the power won't go out and my laptop will be just the way I left it. But sometimes I do get in trouble for not shutting down the computer properly when the power suddenly goes out. [mimico]
havent tried it yet..but i always turn off television if it happens [urcheekyangel]
I have never done it and i have been fine. [chado944]
I personally have never had an alert or even heard of an alert from someone esle. But I can see why you would turn it off. Because I would hate to have my drive backed up that would be just horrible. [nickmarz333]
The storms are not stupid, the storm can damage you computer, I will turn off the computer because I don't want my computer to be damaged. [notlistening2]
Yup, I hate to, but I have to. My modem and power supply were once struck by lightning, and I was out of online contact for a few days. So now I have to switch off everything when the skies start grumbling and flashing! sad [lazeebee]
When there is a thunder storm I don't turn off the PC mainly because I am quiet addicted to net and I can't bear cut with net. I know it is dangerous to the PC, but I can't urge myself to turn off it. [lixiaos77]
no i dont turn my computer off...i odnt have any thing that important in my computer and so i am not worried about any things happening... [nokia6233]
i'm working in an electronics company with an outsourced job in Chicago. our work is mainly through computers and so say that i spend my whole day infront of a computer is an understatement. we have UPS and lightning protector but we still turn our computer off whenever a strong lightning came, we are not afraid of thunder since it won't do harm on our computer but lightning will really burn your outlets. no matter how good your surge protector is it is still best to take precaution than to compromise your computer and safety. [djmarion]
Hey!!! I do turn off my computer when it even starts raining heavily... Cant say.. what would happen and my computer stop working... thumbdown Actually it happened to me once... luckily my computer was off... but my 8 port switch and modem were on... and boom... they stop working... so i dont want to risk it again... At that same time.. my friends PC was ON.. and his motherboard went... even his TV and refrigerator....thumbdown So be careful... happy [venkygec]
Actually,we should turn off,because there are some probabilities of damaging our computers, even very little.But it is just the probability,not surely.So most of the thunder times I don't ,except the thunder is very terrible.If one turns off the computer immediately while a thunderstorm is coming ,I'm sure,his computer have been destroied by thunder. [jxl142]
I don't turn it off, but i know i should. But if you live in rural places, then you should. To be sure, you should put surge protector and UPS for the power supply, and surge protector for the modem. AVR doesn't do much, but it is better than nothing. Before, lighting struck and my fax modem suddenly went blank, but i haven't learn my lesson. I still use my PC without any protection these days. [krkchn]
I usually do now, because my motherboard got OWNED by a massive lightning two years ago lol [lizardlucas]
I hate having to turn my computer off too. However, I am kinda scared to buy another one once if something unexpected happened. Notwithstanding, sometimes, I still run the risk to continue using my computer, which is not so expensive. The computer that I use now is new. Aslo, it costs to some extent. Thus, the thunderstorm happened. Then, I turned my computer off after. [hiddenwing]
all my more expensive electrical appliances are protected with a surge protector.. tv and computer. happy they are not that expensive to buy, you know and it can save hundreds, you should think about getting one.. Before i had protector, i was always getting computer problems, motherboard especially without it needing to be lightning. [mandykaren]
Well if you ask me,I will just turn if off if i really hear a loud thunder storm but if you think that it will not make you in danger mode well you don't have to worry...:-0 Just be careful out there...:-0 Safety first...:-0 God bless and have a nice day...:-0 [insulin]
Considering how hard it is for us to replace a pc, I shut mine off all the time. I would rather be safe then sorry and just about the time I leave it on is when it'll get hit. **AT PEACE WITHIN** ~~STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS~~ [twoey68]
Nope, pretty much never. Over here in Singapore, we are fortunate that everything is wired up right - or so the belief is that unless you are super "lucky", everything will be pretty much alright. So the worst that can happen in a thunderstorm is that we lose our internet connection - probably till to some cables the ISP is using being exposed or whatever. Cheers! lol [lordwarwizard]
happyI stay on the computer until the strom knocks my internet off and then I shut it off when I can't do anything on it any more. [honeydew82174]
Hi ohiljas even i dont like to switch off my pc during thunderstorms blah blah..but my dad always scolds and asks me to switch off the pc during those times.He is so serious because once when i was kid there was heavy thunder burst and fire flashed in our upstairs and our tv got burst during that time.lol when it happened except me everyone in our house were shocked and shouted like anything but i was just wondering like what happened to my tv suddenly it went to sleep lol.. [shana123]
i dont too because i have a laptop lol. its always charged and even if a thunderstorm comes nothin will happen [kinghuss23]
i will switch off my computer as well as television in case of a thunderstorm.but not so in the case of laptop. it is easy to replace a bulb but not your computer. [tomkite]
Its always recommended to turn off the sensitive electronic appliances in home while thunderstorms. Even if you have such systems like a surge or earth under your pc done , you must not take a chance, My PC hasnt been shut down since 2 years, its always on, As i have three systems, one of them is my pc which is always on!. But since two years there hasnt been any thunderstorm which may let me turn my PC off. Before i used to turn it off due to I never trusted the technology. Right now i only use my laptop more however my pc is always on as i already mentioned i never would take a chance! Turning it off for some time is safe and good for the PC health too.happy [rocker21]
I definitely turn off the computer.I don't want my computer to get spoil t because of the computer.A day without the computer will make me feel very bored and sad. [vicky30]
I dont. But we also never really get this problem living in the desert. Usually when it rains, it doesn't rain hard. I have lived here for 5 years and we have had 1 thruderstorm the first year I lived here! haha [samijo719]
Yes .My mother and grand mother are very afraid of thunderstorm .They'll never allow me to work on computer at that time.My grand mother is so afraid that she sometimes stay on a wooden chair .So you can imagine the consequenses I have to face If I don't obey them for this reason. Since they are really afraid of that. [aroshu123]
I use a laptop, so when ever the weather is really bad, I just unplug it. Usually; however, I will leave it alone and keep using it if it's just one thunderstorm. I've never had a weather/computer related incident. [GMWilll]
Thunder and lightning is dangerious for electric moving instruments.So desktop should be closed during thunderstorm. [BABULI1234]
Of course, because it can damage your computer when lightning strikes and our computer is also prone in power outage and that could damage our computer chip sets and peripherals that's why I don't use my computer during storms. happy [rexjallo]
yup i do! this is because my hubby who is a computer geek has seen what lightening strikes can do to a computer! so to that end, we always turn off our tv and our computer. i know my parents used to unplug everything when i was little, but we dont go that far. [cher913]
I don't turn the computer off when there is a thunderstorm outside. My computer never lost its power when there was a thunderstorm, except one time that there was a large storm outside and everything lost their power in my house. [robbychen2009]
Hello philjas, I do turn off my computer when there is thunderstorms coming. I don't have a surge protector and I don't want to take the risk of prying my computer. The risk is there but I am not sure of the percentage of computere damage during thunderstorm. I guess it's small because I don't here of friends of having computers damage during a thunderstorm. Regards. ninjaninjaninja [robert19ph]
No I dont turn off my computer when a thunderstorm starts I never had a problem ever plus im too lazy to turn off the computer [StarChild517]
hi friend, ya normally i turn off my computer daily. take care happy mylotting. [vimaal]
I think, it is better to switch off the computer and disconnect the power and internet connections during thunderstorms. I do so to avoid risk to the equipments. Always, prevention is bette than cure! Thanks for this nice topic! [Mitraa]
Well we were out one day and didn't get the computer turned off, exit hard drive. Of course we were always going to do a complete back up but just didn't get to it. We lost years of e-mail addresses and lots of e-mail. So make your choice and take your chances, If it at all possible we turn ours off. [savypat]
lol Amen Sister, Live life on the wild side!!! lol I have been doing the same. I hate turning off the desktop computer because of the rediculous amount of time it takes to reboot it back up... Plus I do have a surge protector... lol so that kind of defeats the purpose of living crazy... sorry to ruffle your skirt and burst your bubble. Good job o backing up with a side hard drive though... I really need to do that... [Greeneacres]
I used to always leave my computer on up until about 3 years ago... My laptop's battery was dying so I plugged it in & I was still using it when it started to rain... I didn't really think much about it turned into a thunderstorm... I left my laptop plugged in & turned on & went to bed... Next morning, I noticed my alarm clock was blinking 12 like I had a power outtage over night... Of course my laptop was powered off... I tried turning it on & it was making funny sound... I took it to a place where they fixes computers & they told me it was fried... Most likely power surge... Since then, I turn my computer off whenever I see a thunderstorm starting... I unglug it as well... [sk66rc]
We have 4 computers networked together, of which 3 of them are always on. They are all connected to surge protectors. We never shut them down, no matter how bad the lightning is. 12 years, no problems. (so far, lol) Just because I do it, I wouldn't recommend it for other people though... [mcspocky]
I never turn mine off. If you have a good surge protector, you shouldn't have to. I have noticed that some people think they are buying a surge protector, when in reality, they are buying nothing more than a fancy extension cord. If you buy a good surge protector and it fails, as in your computer gets fried, the company will pay to replace your equipment. We have lots of storms in the summer, but I've never had a problem depending on the surge protector. [CherylsPearls]
Yes, I turn the computer off, television off, and if I am on the telephone I get off it too. I was raised by my grandmother. That is what she taught me and it has stuck with me throughout all these years, and I tell my kids to do the same thing. [Chevee]
i try to if i can remember [headbanger21]
I can't say I have one straight answer. We typically don't. When the weather is extremely bad we have and will continue too I am sure. We do turn them off when we are gone from home for an extended time because we never know what the weather will be like while we are gone. [trieschman]
yes, i always try to turn off the computer when theres a thunder storm becuse i dont want to risk damaging it, but i hate having to turn it off to it sucks lol [apples99]
I normally don't because I have surge protectors and home owners insurance. If the storm is really bad to where this is almost no time in between lightning strikes... then I might. [jmarquis]
I dont turn off my system during a storm. I am on a laptop and I just unplug the power supply from the laptop, and keep going. my high speed internet modem is on a UPS and it totally protected from any outside power spikes. so I just keep going until the batteries run out or I goto bed. [mirage108]
take it from someone that learned their lesson the hard way... TURN OFF YOUR COMPUTER WHEN THERE'S LIGHTNING.... also if your electric gets shut off, or if theres a power outage **UNPLUG** your computers as when the electric goes back on it WILL surge. Surge protectors are NOT that effective a product in preventing your computer from surges although they ARE a worthwhile investment and will prevent computer damage in the cases of smaller surges... the problem there is surges usually only come in one form.... large and very capable of destroying your computer and other electronics. [hawaiigurlie]
take it from someone that learned from experience.. TURN OFF YOUR COMPUTER DURING LIGHTENING STORMS.. contrary to apparent popular belief thunder doesnt have any effect on surges to ur computer, lightening does. You could buy a surge protector but that doesnt do much to prevent damage to your computer, they only help when its a small surge.. problem is surges are almost never small! It is worth the investment though. Also be aware that if you get your electric turned off or if theres a power outage that you should immediately **UNPLUG** your computer because when the electric comes back on there will be a surge and that could damage your computer (no the electric company will not pay for replacement or repairs). The best case scenario of surge damage to your computer is paying $80 or so.. the worst (and more common) case is having to pay $hundreds-$thousands to fix or replace your computer. In most cases repairs would be less expensive but theres cases where the surge damages so much that its more feesable to just go out and buy a new computer. If you live in places where theres lots of lightening storms youll definately want to unplug and surge protect. Also keep in mind that surges can damage all electronics not only computers so u should probably unplug any electronics youd be upset at losing, replacing or fixing. [hawaiigurlie]