# Computer lightning damage question **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 1, 2008, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-lightning-damage-question/454839 "2008-07-01T01:17:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Anne\_Neville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Anne\_Neville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anne_Neville)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2008, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-lightning-damage-question/454839/1 "2008-07-01T01:17:31Z")
This weekend, Mr. Neville’s computer died. It’s not outputting anything to the monitor. There were thunderstorms, so he thinks it may have been due to that. The power never went out (I never even had to reset the mol of clocks in Casa Neville), his surge protector is fine (everything other than the computer that is plugged into it works fine), and my computer is fine. Is it possible for lightning to be that selective in taking out computer equipment? We bought our current surge protectors in California. Would we be better off getting new surge protectors here, where lightning is more common and surge protectors are (presumably) sold with that in mind? ---
**Author:** ![Mindfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mindfield/32/19759_2.png) [@Mindfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mindfield)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2008, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-lightning-damage-question/454839/2 "2008-07-01T01:43:05Z")
Does it turn on at all? The most frequent cause of such computer woes is the power supply, especially relatively cheap ones. Worse, if the power supply goes flaky (doesn’t die, just go flaky such that it supplies “dirty” (poorly regulated) power) it can indeed take out specific components plugged into the computer – usually the motherboard itself. But it would help to know if it turns on at all. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2008, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-lightning-damage-question/454839/3 "2008-07-01T01:46:31Z")
1. Just because the plug strip still works, that doesn’t mean the the surge protector is working. 2. Have you tried another monitor? Does the computer power up? 3. I seriously doubt that surge protectors are any different in PA as opposed to CA. 4. Each piece of electronic equipment has a different sensitivity to electrical surges. It’s certainly possible for a computer to be damaged, while the clock plugged in next to it is fine, after a lightning strike. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2008, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-lightning-damage-question/454839/4 "2008-07-01T02:32:39Z")
I lost a surge protector and a modem that was plugged into the phone line jack of the protector. You could have a path for the surge if anything plugged into the computer is not on that strip. A cable to the television or to the stereo could be a path. Surge protectors don’t always stop a surge either. ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2008, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-lightning-damage-question/454839/5 "2008-07-01T02:42:00Z")
A couple of things to try. 1. Plug in another monitor. 2. Open up the computer case. Do this with the power to the wall unplugged ! Find the video card. ( Unless it is a resident on-the-motherboard card ). Carefully unscrew the screw holding it in place. Pull and re-seat it. If the card is slightly loose or has been jarred, you may have lost full connectivity. Similarly ( and I guess before you do this… ), unplug and re-plug the video cable to the back of the case. 3. Plug that monitor into another computer to double-check. Let us know ! Cartooniverse ---
**Author:** ![Anne\_Neville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Anne\_Neville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anne_Neville)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2008, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-lightning-damage-question/454839/6 "2008-07-02T23:26:18Z")
Turned out to be the AGP port, at least according to his diagnostics. He’s getting a new computer (as you may have guessed, his computer’s a little long in the tooth). > [@beowulff](#): > > Just because the plug strip still works, that doesn’t mean the the surge protector is working. Is there any way to test that the surge protector is working? Preferably one that doesn’t involve destroying any more of our electronics? ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2008, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-lightning-damage-question/454839/7 "2008-07-02T23:50:15Z")
[QUOTE=Anne Neville] Is there any way to test that the surge protector is working? Preferably one that doesn’t involve destroying any more of our electronics? [/QUOTE] They nearly always have a lighted indicator labeled “Protected When Lit.” If that light is out, the MOVs (metal-oxide varistors, the voltage-dependent variable resistance components which actually dissipate the surge current) are shot and the surge suppressor needs to be replaced. If it does not have such an indicator, it’s either a really cheap surge protector or it’s just an outlet strip which offers minimal (some do include a set of small MOVs), if any, protection. ---
**Author:** ![Anne\_Neville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Anne\_Neville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anne_Neville)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2008, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-lightning-damage-question/454839/8 "2008-07-03T00:41:19Z")
[QUOTE=Q.E.D.] They nearly always have a lighted indicator labeled “Protected When Lit.” If that light is out, the MOVs (metal-oxide varistors, the voltage-dependent variable resistance components which actually dissipate the surge current) are shot and the surge suppressor needs to be replaced. If it does not have such an indicator, it’s either a really cheap surge protector or it’s just an outlet strip which offers minimal (some do include a set of small MOVs), if any, protection. [/QUOTE] I just got back from under his desk, and that light is lit. Thanks.