July, August, 2008
Lightning And Your Computer...

It's summer in CT, and that usually means we all keep an eye out for thunderstorms.

And the lightning that comes with them.
While the chances of your home getting directly struck by lightning is exceptionally low, storms do cause significant regional power outages and power "surges". 

These outages and surges will damage your computer and other sensitive (and expensive) consumer electronics in your home.

The thunderstorms on July 26/27 were pretty severe, but not all that noteworthy.  On Monday and Tuesday, however, WCC was busy repairing (when possible) and replacing entire computer systems lost to lightning.

All of the customers we helped had two things in common.  One, their homes were not hit by lightning, but their computers got fried anyway.  Two, they had minimal, if any, adequate power protection for their system.
So this month our WCC "Tech Tips" features:

• Power Strips are not Surge Protectors
• What's the best possible protection for my system?

Please use common sense whenever you're out in a storm, and read on to find out how to protect your computer.
Avi & Tahl

Avi Smith-Rapaport, Tahl Smith-Rapaport, and the entire team at:
We Care Computers, LLC
860-836-4191 or info@wecarecomputers.com

I Have A Power Strip For Protection!

Many people have their computers hooked up via "power strips", and these power strips have often been sold as "surge protectors".

While they may have a small surge protector in them, the first power surge usually burns it out, so you don't have any protection after that.

So if your current computer is connected by one of these strips, you better make sure your computer is disconnected from the outlet during any storm.  Of course, if you're not home...

Lightning is not the only reason the "lights go out" in CT.  Storms, electrical overloads, etc, cause fairly frequent short power outages as well.  Suddenly, no power, no warning. 
When the power goes out, your computer will stop working immediately, with damage to internal circuits and even to the hard drive on occasion.  Not good.  Power Strips like the one pictured above have absolutely NO protection against power outages.

A far better solution?  A UPS.

What You Really Need, A "UPS"
For both your budget and your peace of mind, home and small business owners should have their computers set up on an "Uninterruptible Power Supply", aka a UPS. 

The one pictured on the left is a Cyber Power CP550SL, and we recommend it with all of our new installations and upgrades.  Here are the advantages:
1.  In case of lightning or other strong surges, the 550 blocks the surge and prevents damage to your computer.  This unit costs under $ 60, but provides amazing protection from power surges.
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2.  Outages occur far more frequently than lightning damage. This type of sudden shut down of power can be just as dangerous as a surge from lightning, and the UPS also works very well to prevent outages from affecting your computer.

3. Even when your computer is properly protected against surges and outages, sometimes your telephone line, DSL line, or cable moded (directly hooked into your computer) will also let surges in.  This unit allows you to direct your phone or modem line through it for additional protection.

The CP550 not only detects power surges AND power outages, it also takes the appropriate steps to keep your computer running and give it enough time for all programs to shut down normally.  So you don't lose data, don't trash your hard drive, or delete programs or files.

If you've got any questions, please give us a call or email.  We sell them and install them.

$ 60 is a small price to pay to protect your computer, a miniscule amount to protect the information and files on it, and a bargain that lets you leave home any time you want without having to worry about lightning or power outages.

PARTING SHOT: Avi and Tahl are Out There Riding and Running This Summer.

As part of an ongoing commitment to health, community, and charity, WCC owners Avi and Tahl Smith-Rappaport are participating in a number of Triathlons, Biathlons, and Biking competitions this summer.  We'll announce one of the brothers as the Season's "winner" later this year, but we're not sure either one will agree with the verdict.

Avi on the Bike, Avi/Tahl before a competition, Tahl at the Finish Line.

QUOTE OF THE MONTH
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.  Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure."
Nelson Mandela