HELP! My computer took a powder!

[aztecan]

I was sitting at home last evening and there was a power failure. All the lights in the area apparently went out for a few seconds, then came back on.

But, there must have been one heck of a power surge when it did because everything went haywire. The motion sensitive lights in my yard went on and never shut off, like they're supposed to, the satellite went out and had to completely reprogram itself and my computer is fried.

The computer was on a surge protector and nothing else seems to have been affected, but the computer now refuses to even switch on. (I am at work at the moment and using the work computer).

Now I have to find a Mac repairman. I don't know squat about computers and, being color blind, electric wiring was never my forte anyway.

So, if I'm not around much, its because I a nursing a sick Mac.

SIGH,

Mark

[Matty the Damned]

Mark,

Hopefully it's just your power supply which has been fritzed. It sounds like it. Power supplies are designed to take the hit of a surge. These are easily replaced and all the assorted data (hehehehe) on your hard drive should be safe.

MtD

[milker]

remove the surge protector, and plug your pc to another outlet that is not on the same breaker?

Milker.

[BriGuyNY,NY]

I have a battery back up...gives 15 minutes of power in case...then automatically shuts everything down if power not restored

[Miss Philicia]

Mark, you may have blown the power supply unit within the Mac and will need it replaced.

Anyone who really wants to not worry about this with a computer should shun the more normal surge protectors and invest in a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) unit.

more detail here:  http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatSectionView.process?Section_Id=201476

that's what I have, but of course you can find many other models/manufacturers

[J.R.E.]

Hello Marc,

Sorry to hear about the computer. Sounds like a power supply to me also. I agree with Philly. If possible try to get an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) They do the job of protecting the computer much better. Hope you get things going soon.


Ray

[RapidRod]

Mark, I had the same thing happen the week before last and had to get a new power pack. I paid 52 bucks for mine. That reminds me, I need to get a couple cans of air to clean out my computer and keyboard.

[mjmel]

When one looks at the investment made in a computer and the info it contains, a UPS is well-worth the cost. The higher end units have plug-ins in the back or sides that allow to choose between surge suppressor only or surge supressor with battery back-up as well. Sends out a beep signal when current is altered/needs resetting. I purchased mine at Office Max. Some even have gaurantees on protecting your computer and it's contents.

[Grinch]

   Before you run out to Wal-Mart and install a $20.00 UPS thinking everything is safe please consider that there are several kinds of UPS's available. Relying strictly on a cheap UPS is worse than relying on a surge suppressor.

  A line interactive UPS also known as a standby UPS, may or may not have built in surge suppression.  This type of UPS is typically the cheap Wal-mart or Best Buy style.  This UPS acts as a switch.  When there is power, it is sent directly to your computer.  Power is not isolated via batteries and an inverter.  When power is interrupted it then switches to battery.  This type of UPS MIGHT have some built in surge suppression but it really will be no better than that surge suppressing outlet strip.  This UPS may have a switching time that is so slow that depending on the power supply on your computer, it may not even switch to battery in time to keep your computer from shutting down during a power interruption.

  At the other end of the spectrum is the "true on-line" UPS.  This UPS is always on, meaning AC (wall power) feeds the battery charger keeping the batteries charged.  The power from the batteries (DC) is then sent to an inverter that chops the DC back into AC.  What this means to your computer is: A very stable and steady power source at all times, including during a power interruption. This unit will usually have good surge suppression built in, however for very sensitive or expensive equipment ( A CT Scanner or MRI machine) it is advisable to add an external surge suppressor.

  Bottom line is you get what you pay for.  If you are in an area with dirty power or there are frequent re-closure events. you should consider a really good surge suppressor and or a good on-line UPS. (Reclosure is  very rough on electronics.  This occurs when something like a squirrel is across a power line.  The power company switching equipment will shut off power for about a second then turn it back on, this will be repeated up to a total of 3 times.  If they succeed in burning off what ever is causing the problem power stays on.  If not power stays off.)

   There are a couple of types of UPS that fall between these two ends of the spectrum, but these really are the two most common. Do not fall under the misconception that a UPS will protect you from surges or even sags.  Unless you buy a good one stick to the best surge suppressor you can find.

  If you'd like a dissertation  on different types of surge suppression and UPS's feel free to ask. It's a subject I know fairly well.  This was really just a very brief overview.

  Some times wrong information is worse than no information.


Edited for spelling

 

[J.R.E.]

Hi Mark,

Your going to hear differant thoughts on how to protect electronic equipment. I still say that having a good quality UPS is your best bet. And yes, there are crap ones, and there are better ones. All depends on what you can afford, how much you want to spend.

All of our computers and servers at work ( besides being on a dedicated power line) are protected by UPS systems. The one I have on my home computer was a little over 120.00. I have had it for several years. I have replaced the battery once in that time. Down here in Florida, Power surges and interruptions happen daily in the summer months. I have never had problems. I have been on the computer, when spikes,, surges, brown-outs, and loss of power have occurred, with no problems.


The UPS will give you time, to safely shut down your computer, at the first electrical glitch that comes along. This is one of the main purposes of a UPS, ( especially in the home), to be able to safely shut down and disconnect electrical equipment , to prevent damage. It's also important to note, that a surge can come through the phone line or cable. If that is not protected, it can damage the computer also.

Just a couple links ;

http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/s/surge_protector.html


http://www.pcguide.com/ref/power/ext/comp.htm (scroll down slightly)


Once again, when buying any type of surge suppression device it's important to know how those devices are electrically rated for surge and spike protection, this includes a UPS.

Take care and hurry back------Ray

[budndallastx]

Everyone's advice is spot on. 

The only other recommendation I can make is to take the fried power supply to a computer store to insure you get the same size.  Power supplies look alike but they are designed for different processor types and such.  Get too powerful of a power supply and it'll fail quickly since it's having to burn off the energy degrading the circuits.  If you get one too small, it won't be able to run your components and again you have problems.

On the UPS, be sure to get one with a good warranty.  The batteries are replaced on a regular basis since they tend to hold a smaller and smaller charge over time.  Take a look at the total cost of ownership before deciding on the one you want and can afford.

Surge protectors are crap unless you get a high end one but then you're in the UPS category pricewise.

[marc11864]

Hi Marc! 

 Ah we're everywhere aren't we

1) As was mentioned, I'd try plugging into an outlet that you know has a current running through it if that fails...

2) Take the computer to your nearest reputable certified Apple store or repair shop and have them test the power pack and then the battery.

 Good luck.

[SASA39]

I`m just hoping that it is not a 1 April joke ..........
And if is not, that you have removed all  photos amd movies from PC      
                                                                   Al