Wired router and one PC damaged by storm

K

kiki769

New Member
Hi, today during a storm one of my two networked PCs and the router were damaged by the storm. They were connected through a surge protector but after a bolt of lightening they switched off. Amazingly only one of the computers was damaged.
Why was only one damaged when both were switched on and connected to the router? What part of the computer is damaged ? Is there anyway I can fix it myself ?
Any help would be much appreciated
Rosanne
 
Just make a home owner's insurance claim (if you have it) lightning damage can have recursive effects on electronics. Meaning you can replace one part but still have damaged parts that work for as far as you can tell but over time those damage parts will cause other parts to fail
 
some surge protector are crap the only good ones will cost you big bucks. If you value your equipment you should have a Lightning arresters on your house and should also have your PCs on a UPS.
You can never protect yourself totally, lightntning can come in from Phone and Cable wires also.

I have seen Lightning shoot sparks out of wall outlets and catch curtains on fire.
When I was a kid i seen ball lightning come in the house thru the open front door and bounce around the kitchen

and as Tlarkin says it is best to claim on your insurance because some parts can be damaged and still work but cause other to fail after a period of time.
 
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I have seen 2 identicle PCs plugged into the same outlet. One got fried the other did not. I think what happens is lightning seeks a ground and for some reason only takes one path possibly one pc has a better ground. Look at the mainboard and make sure the capacitors ( the little cans) on the mainboard are not all puffed out or leaking electrolyte. Probably may just need a new power supply. .. or the mainboard could be bad. As far as UPSs go. If it is a direct hit to the power lines, say outside, even an expensive one the voltage from the strike will jump across contacts inside the ups. Does the router work ? A lightening arrestor is good. a friend of mine that lives in the country says that it will attract lightning durring a storm, safely sending it to ground. She said they get lots of strikes though and that can be nerve racking.
 
it goes to the rules of electricity

electricity always takes the path of least resistance, so the pc that got fried had a better path to ground with the least resistance than the other one and that is y it fried that one
 
Before you put in an insurance claim, make sure you have the store receipts for all your computer gear. Many insurers won't pay a dime before they know what you paid for it. A receipt proves you actually own it.

Also I sure hope you had a "replacement value" clause added to your homeowners' policy, otherwise the insurance company will only pay the current market value for your computer gear. Subtract your deductible and you could end up with a check for $0.00.

Read the fine print to avoid disappointment later!

Tom
 
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