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Thread ID: 36211	2003-08-03 02:54:00	Voltage drop	prespec (1908)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
164863	2003-08-03 02:54:00	I live in a rural zone with dated power and telephone infrastructure. Recently there has been a deterioration in my pc's performance and in television reception as well as a decay in internet connection speed. This is despite applying all the recommended and usual remedies. I am aware that portions of the national grid are known to be "brown spots" and are prone to significant low voltage episodes,and these seriously affect high-drain devices, ie. tv/pc's. It occurs to me that my fairly new HP pc with Windows XP may have a function to detect and monitor voltage input, but I have no idea where. I would like to prove or eliminate this possible cause before contacting the power supplier or spending more money. Can any one tell me if such a program already exists on my pc or where one can be downloaded from?	prespec (1908)
164864	2003-08-03 03:04:00	Nope . PC power supplies are made to handle a wide range of input power . . . often between 87 and 260 V, or 170 - 260V . It's common for the supplies to work without selector switches on "115" and "230" systems, because it's cheaper, as well as being more idiot proof . Before the computer dropped out, you would notice other problems . Like lights dimming markedly, fridge motor burning out . High voltage is indicated by very short bulb life . You'll have to use your voltmeter (carefully) . Your line company might plug in a monitor for a week if you ask . That produces a little tape of the voltage at fixed intervals . It used to be part of the service . :D	Graham L (2)
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