What computer components or electronics have you lost due to electrical storms?

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Krynj

Krynj

Platinum Member
Jun 21, 2006
2,816
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Pretty nasty storm rolling through right now. Usually I don't end up turning off and disconnecting my computer, but sometimes the thunder and lightning strikes just get too big and too close for comfort. Ended up turning off my machine and disconnecting it from the power for this one. Grabbed and beer, propped open the windows, killed the lights and sat back for a show.

Just minutes later the bedroom lit up, and my ears were bombarded by an extremely close strike. Even made my speakers pop real loudly. I take a sip of my Steel Reserve, as if to toast mother nature, and then she delivers an encore twice as powerful, subsequently knocking the power out for a few minutes.

Worst of the storm is over I would say, but I'm in no hurry to risk my hardware, or the priceless stuff on my hard drives. So here I sit. Sipping a cold one and enjoying a storm.

Anybody ever made the mistake of leaving their rig plugged in for a storm, and then had to replace damaged components? Did you ever make that mistake twice?
 
IronWing

IronWing

No Lifer
Jul 20, 2001
72,874
33,941
136
Lost a UPS at work. The UPS did what it was supposed to and died that my PC might live. The strike cooked our telephone system and few coworkers' PCs.
 
Krynj

Krynj

Platinum Member
Jun 21, 2006
2,816
8
81
I'm trying to think of anything I've lost over the years, and I'm coming up blank.

I have a buddy who had a NIC get toasted during a storm. Says he came home and his internet didn't work anymore. He'd been out of town so he wasn't aware of any storms. Took the NIC out and a good portion of it had some brown discoloration.
 
Raduque

Raduque

Lifer
Aug 22, 2004
13,140
138
106
A modem once.

Also lost a gigantic console TV back in '92 to Hurricane Andrew. Parents used it to block the front door closed and tons of water came in under it and soaked the wood so bad it just fell apart.
 
Krynj

Krynj

Platinum Member
Jun 21, 2006
2,816
8
81
When I was a kid we had a nasty power surge claim a lot of our electronics. I had a heated waterbed at the time, but I always left it unplugged, simply because I never have, nor will ever be a heated bed type of guy. Box fan on high all year round FTW.

Took out our TV, stereos, NES, and a couple other things. The homeowners insurance covered all the damages, which directly lead to us getting a Super Nintendo.
 
W

Wanescotting

Diamond Member
Feb 4, 2004
3,219
0
76
Krynj said:
When I was a kid we had a nasty power surge claim a lot of our electronics. I had a heated waterbed at the time, but I always left it unplugged, simply because I never have, nor will ever be a heated bed type of guy. Box fan on high all year round FTW.

Took out our TV, stereos, NES, and a couple other things. The homeowners insurance covered all the damages, which directly lead to us getting a Super Nintendo.
Click to expand...

Another box fan win! I try to spread the word, but the people keep buying those fancy looking fans that don't do shit
 
Krynj

Krynj

Platinum Member
Jun 21, 2006
2,816
8
81
Wanescotting said:
Another box fan win! I try to spread the word, but the people keep buying those fancy looking fans that don't do shit
Click to expand...

Since my lady and I started living together a few years ago, I've had to stray from the box fan, but my weapon of choice now does the job real well. It's about 10 inches in diameter, and gets the job done real well. Much smaller than a box fan, but has good fin design and high RPM. Aim it just right so it hits a bit of the face and torso region, add the brisk cool air from the air conditioner, and it's like a meat locker in here. Fucking love it.

Ever since I was a kid, I've found it very hard to sleep without a nice cool breeze. It can be done, but I sweat a ton, and it's extremely hard for me to fall asleep.
 
W

Wanescotting

Diamond Member
Feb 4, 2004
3,219
0
76
Krynj said:
Since my lady and I started living together a few years ago, I've had to stray from the box fan, but my weapon of choice now does the job real well. It's about 10 inches in diameter, and gets the job done real well. Much smaller than a box fan, but has good fin design and high RPM. Aim it just right so it hits a bit of the face and torso region, add the brisk cool air from the air conditioner, and it's like a meat locker in here. Fucking love it.

Ever since I was a kid, I've found it very hard to sleep without a nice cool breeze. It can be done, but I sweat a ton, and it's extremely hard for me to fall asleep.
Click to expand...

Yeah, we use box fans, but only in the living room :( GF said "hell no, not in the bedroom" what did I do? I found the LOUDEST and most-air-movenest fan on a stick I could
 
fatpat268

fatpat268

Diamond Member
Jan 14, 2006
5,853
0
71
Lost a VCR in 95... that's it.

I generally unplug my powerstrips with my computer and tv setup in a big electrical storm. Never hurts to be cautious.
 
Krynj

Krynj

Platinum Member
Jun 21, 2006
2,816
8
81
Wanescotting said:
Yeah, we use box fans, but only in the living room :( GF said "hell no, not in the bedroom" what did I do? I found the LOUDEST and most-air-movenest fan on a stick I could
Click to expand...

lol. I'm fairly certain one of the first conversations my girlfriend and I ever had was "Alright, look, I sleep with a fan on every night, and it's loud, and could possibly damage your hearing over time. In the summer time I need an air conditioner, and it's going to get almost uncomfortably cold in the bedroom. You still down to live with me?"

We're just about 3 years in, and she complains about it at least twice a week. :wub:

Although, when I'm away for a night or two, she still turns the fan on. So, she's began to see the light.

Edit: And just as I finish typing this post, she walks into the bedroom and says "Ok, you can turn the air conditioner off. It's not even hot tonight."

Yes it is. :colbert:
 
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middlehead

middlehead

Diamond Member
Jul 11, 2004
4,573
2
81
I've never lost anything, but the way the storms are going now I probably will.
 
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