Holy jesus: Lightning CAN strike through your computer

EyeMWing

Banned
Jun 13, 2003
15,670
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Can I sue them?

I was sitting here, neffing in full confidence during a lightning storm when suddenly, I was launched a full 3 feet from my keyboard and mouse, complete with the sounds of firecrackers as electricity arc'd between various goodies for a full second or two (seemed like an eternity to me)

The computer continued to act as normal. Still playing music, ATOT still sitting on the screen, my half-typed post still intact.

After recovering myself and yanking the plug to every electronic device I have, I discovered that I have some light burns on both my hands and forearms, apparently I managed to get clear pretty quickly.

All the computers around the house powered up, the TV's flickered (but not the lights).

Damage count thus far is:
1 - RTL-8139C NIC
1 - 8-port switch
1 - 16-port managed switch
1 - Verizon landline
1 - KDS VS-7i monitor (17") - Will have to call for a replacement. I think it's still under warranty.
1 - R9600XT
1 - Asus A7n8x Deluxe
1 - AthlonXP 2500+
And all I've checked thus far has been the absolute ROOT services on my network - gateway, domain controller, switches. Most of the computers are still unplugged.

Point of entry, as best as I can guess, was through the cable line, jumped the modem (it isn't damaged at all), through the network, and across components from there.
 

NeoAaronX

Senior member
Aug 4, 2003
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........ all that happens and you're back on the computer already? Is the storm over with?
 

MrBond

Diamond Member
Feb 5, 2000
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Mythbusters didn't test computers, they tested phones and bathtubs/showers.
 

EyeMWing

Banned
Jun 13, 2003
15,670
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Originally posted by: MrBond
Mythbusters didn't test computers, they tested phones and bathtubs/showers.

They had a computer plugged in, and tested it minimally by checking to see if it still POSTed.
 

EyeMWing

Banned
Jun 13, 2003
15,670
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Originally posted by: NeoAaronX
........ all that happens and you're back on the computer already? Is the storm over with?

Yes. I can deal with some wussass burns.
 

Kaervak

Diamond Member
Jul 18, 2001
8,460
2
81
Originally posted by: EyeMWing
Originally posted by: MrBond
Mythbusters didn't test computers, they tested phones and bathtubs/showers.

They had a computer plugged in, and tested it minimally by checking to see if it still POSTed.

The computer was plugged in, however it wasn't running during the test. Reduced the chance of it being damaged by a substantial amount.