However, the weather may have a different story in mind for you...
So now may be a good time to talk about power and what it could do to your computer in the event you have a power failure. And for those of you who think you have all your bases covered because you have a battery backup device or a gold plated surge protector that everything is plugged into, guess again.
The power that you get from your wall socket acts a lot like water coming out of a garden hose. When you turn on the faucet, water comes out slowly and then increases, sometimes surging until an equilibrium is established in the hose. Electricity works the same way. When power is restored, a large jolt comes down the line much like the hose example. This surge of power could cause electrical devices to fail since the amount of voltage is way more than the device can accept.
Computers are very susceptible to power surges. It's why RTS always recommends a SURGE protector when you plug your computer into the wall. A surge protector does just that; it protects your computer from those surges in power. However, all surges are not created equal. Some can be so powerful that no matter what type of protector you have plugged into the wall, the device on the other end could get "fried" because of the surge was so large.
How about a simpler explanation. You have two choices when the power goes out:
1. Leave well enough alone and hope and pray that everything will still work and just live with the expense of a new computer when the power comes back on and creates a very expensive 500 Gb, high end computerized door stop.
2. Find the wall socket that your computer is plugged into. In the event of a power failure, pull that plug pronto. When the lights come back on, give the power 2 to 3 minutes to settle and then plug your computer back in and turn it back on.
During bad weather, it's is always my practice to "pull-the-plug" on any high end device I have at my home. Today the weather is rainy and nasty. The power went off at 4am. But my high end TV, computers and sound equipment had all been unplugged previously. I know for a fact that once the power goes back on, I have equipment that will work and will not have to be replaced.
So... What will you do when the power goes out?
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