In Canberra we have had a few severe storms recently, so we thought we would do a quick update on what you should do with your computer during a storm. Of course, this information applies to other pieces of electrical equipment as well (such as TV’s and DVD players).

Firstly, we recommend that you disconnect any computers or devices (such as external hard drives) from the wall. It is very common to get power surges that can completely damage your equipment. This is why it is always a good idea to make sure your computer is connected through a surge protector, although these do not always appear to be 100% effective based on our previous experiences. The safest bet is to make sure that there is nothing connecting your computer to the elements outside.

The second thing to think about is your Internet connection. If you had ADSL internet, it is advisable to disconnect the phone line from your modem during an electrical storm. You can buy surge protectors that are able to protect your phone lines, so use this feature if your power board supports it.

If you or a friend have suffered any computer issues due to the storms, please give us a call on 6223 2333. We will be able to come out onsite, diagnose what may have failed and get you up and running again before you know it!