Lightening strikes computer

Carl Leopard · 08-25-2004, 02:26 PM

I need some of your technical expertise guys..

Lightening struck our local phone lines. Our desktop computer was connected to the internet via a usb broadband modem..

Obviously the surge travelled through the modem and into the computer, resulting in a "BANG" similar to a gunshot.

A few days later, carelessly I plugged in the usb modem into my laptop (at this point we thought the surge had come through the power supply, and didn't contemplate the modem being screwed).

The laptop was fine until I plugged in the modem, at which point it just turned off. I tried turning it on again but the laptop would switch on (you could hear the power going through it) but nothing would work..
i.e. there was nothing on the screen, no sound from the speakers on key presses, my bluetooth usb dongle would not light up its LED's etc..

What is wrong with it? Is it easily repaired? What's been damaged and what will need replacing?

We're going through insurance, and i'd MUCH rather have a new laptop, but I fear they're going to say it's repairable.

Any input on this is MUCH appreciated!

Carl

**Praetor** · 08-25-2004, 03:39 PM

Quote:

The laptop was fine until I plugged in the modem, at which point it just turned off. I tried turning it on again but the laptop would switch on (you could hear the power going through it) but nothing would work..
i.e. there was nothing on the screen, no sound from the speakers on key presses, my bluetooth usb dongle would not light up its LED's etc..

Without the modem, does the laptop work?

Carl Leopard · 08-25-2004, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Praetor

Without the modem, does the laptop work?

No! Of course not.. I'm not that stupid

:p

I tried plugging in an external monitor, too, but this didn't work either.
I took out the battery, left it for a few hours and tried later. Nothing.

All I really want to know is - what are the chances of it being repaired rather than replaced?

Does anyone have any clue as to what could have gone wrong?

I assume the insides of the modem are fried, and seeing as it would be trying to draw power via USB it must have shorted something on the motherboard..

Anyone?

Thanks gents.

Carl

**Praetor** · 08-25-2004, 04:26 PM

Quote:

All I really want to know is - what are the chances of it being repaired rather than replaced?

Well i can say ive never ever heard of a USB device frying a laptop .... if thats the case odds are you're better off with a new laptop then trying to repair it :S

Lorand · 08-25-2004, 04:32 PM

You can't fry a computer shortcircuiting an USB port.
But if the modem get fried, it may let pass the 40 V of the phone line to the USB port. Now that's more stressful for the computer than a simple short...

Carl Leopard · 09-02-2004, 03:37 PM

FYI, the damaged caused was terminal.

My poor laptop died a horrific death, more painful than we could possibly imagine.

Oh well, Dell 1.7GHz Centrino 512Mb RAM here we come

aj

**Praetor** · 09-02-2004, 03:45 PM

Interesting... i guess there's a first for everythin ... never thought that could happen

kermit · 09-20-2004, 11:54 PM

Dude don't get a DELL!

**Praetor** · 09-21-2004, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Dude don't get a DELL!

You do realize that every laptop maker has nightmare stories right?? There's a reason dell is very successful -- by far and alrge their products are decent

Computer Man5 · 10-13-2004, 10:00 PM

The electricity that moved into your laptop fried the Motherboard. Its Dead. Dell Laptops are good especially for thier value. But if you buy a desktop from dell, you will go to hell!

LOL!

08-25-2004, 02:26 PM	#1 (permalink)
Carl Leopard New Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 3	Lightening strikes computer - what damage did it cause? I need some of your technical expertise guys.. Lightening struck our local phone lines. Our desktop computer was connected to the internet via a usb broadband modem.. Obviously the surge travelled through the modem and into the computer, resulting in a "BANG" similar to a gunshot. A few days later, carelessly I plugged in the usb modem into my laptop (at this point we thought the surge had come through the power supply, and didn't contemplate the modem being screwed). The laptop was fine until I plugged in the modem, at which point it just turned off. I tried turning it on again but the laptop would switch on (you could hear the power going through it) but nothing would work.. i.e. there was nothing on the screen, no sound from the speakers on key presses, my bluetooth usb dongle would not light up its LED's etc.. What is wrong with it? Is it easily repaired? What's been damaged and what will need replacing? We're going through insurance, and i'd MUCH rather have a new laptop, but I fear they're going to say it's repairable. Any input on this is MUCH appreciated! Carl

09-02-2004, 03:45 PM	#7 (permalink)
Praetor Administrator Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Canada Age: 25 Posts: 19,955	Interesting... i guess there's a first for everythin ... never thought that could happen __________________ ASUS P5K Premium WiFi-AP, Q6600@3.7 / ASUS P5ND, E6400@3.8 4GB OCz Platinum XTC 8500 / 4GB CorsairXMS2 6400 5x500GB Seagate 7200.10 / 2x500 Seagate 7200.10 OCz 8800GTX 768MB @ 630/800 / 2x Galaxy 8800GT SLI

10-13-2004, 10:00 PM	#10 (permalink)
Computer Man5 Bronze Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 59	The electricity that moved into your laptop fried the Motherboard. Its Dead. Dell Laptops are good especially for thier value. But if you buy a desktop from dell, you will go to hell! LOL! __________________ ComputerMan5 ____________________ Windows XP SP2 PRO AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Biostar TForce-939 1.5gb PNY/ProMos RAM DDR400 80gb WD Raptor 10K HD w/8mb cache XFX 6800 Xtreme 256mb PCIE x16 500w Coolmax PSU BCC Case Samsung DVD+-RW 16x Asus Quietrack 16x DVD-ROM Sony 52x CD-RW Creative Audigy 2

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08-25-2004, 04:32 PM	#5 (permalink)
Lorand VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Bucharest Age: 42 Posts: 3,042	You can't fry a computer shortcircuiting an USB port. But if the modem get fried, it may let pass the 40 V of the phone line to the USB port. Now that's more stressful for the computer than a simple short...

09-02-2004, 03:37 PM	#6 (permalink)
Carl Leopard New Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 3	FYI, the damaged caused was terminal. My poor laptop died a horrific death, more painful than we could possibly imagine. Oh well, Dell 1.7GHz Centrino 512Mb RAM here we come aj

09-20-2004, 11:54 PM	#8 (permalink)
kermit Silver Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 130	Dude don't get a DELL!