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Thread ID: 87176 2008-02-11 08:04:00 Gaming Board - Any One used this wainuitech (129) Press F1
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639491 2008-02-12 08:30:00 Well OK that's interesting. Thanks. I don't worry too much about power failure as I don't really use these machine for any must-save work so a UPS isn't a high priority (and they seem to survive the odd involuntary shutdown). But a widget sitting on the desk that would physically disconnect the modem has always seemed to me like a good idea. Of course it would have to fairly grunty to withstand a belt of lightning. I see something like those massive power switches you see in old movies, big U shaped things with bakelite handles. Could also be used to 'throw the switch' when you sense you are being invaded by net crudware. Mind you I'm no tech so maybe I don't understand that that would be too slow anyway. mark c (247)
639492 2008-02-12 19:35:00 Well as I always say - If you have a UPS, they are not that expensive, and can save a lot of trouble. Got one customer who had one blow due to a MASSIVE power surge - it blew the UPS as even the Overload was fried, but it did its job and saved the PC. The manufactures replaced the UPS the following day.
With out it the whole PC would have fried - How do I know ? because I had to rebuild his previous PC completely from the same sort of surge, the only thing that survived was the case.

Lets say you have a power surge as above from what ever reason, depending on where you get them from as they are around the $125 -$150 mark.

I'm not allowed to advertise my own business here BUT Ascent have them (www.ascent.co.nz) OK you can claim insurance but its a hassle. 		wainuitech (129)
639493 2008-02-13 03:02:00 Lots of people have surge protectors that are purchased from places like Dick Smiths / warehouse etc. While they work OK for minor spikes, they generally can fail and some of them don't even warn you they have failed.

A dedicated UPS will provide battery backup in case of a brown out ( power Drop) or power cut. The ones I use are Shown Here (www.dove.co.nz) I get them from Dove Electronics but several other places have them as well.

There are plenty of different good brands about in surge protection, but these are not a UPS with battery backup.

One demo I give to customers on how it works is 1st thing I do is plug in the UPS to give it some power - then after its had about 10 minutes of charging, they are usually curious as to what this black box does - So I say - in a power cut what happens to the PC ?

(Answer) it suddenly shuts down - I then explain with the UPS it wont and tell them to pull the power from the wall - which they don't - so I do - and to there amazement the PC is still running :eek: - the UPS is beeping indicating a power cut - But all thats meant to do is give you time to save any work and shut down normally, if you have a power drop it does the same thing - not keep the PC running for hours.
A brown out can also corrupt files - a surge protector wont do anything.

The lightning we had that caused damage - we had 5 of these beeping in the house all at once - what a racket :lol: when the power came right after less than a minute they all went quiet again - but saved possible damage to the PC's and TV's.
In direct Lightning strike - The last thing I'd be worried about is a PC blowing up. NOTHING will safe electrical items from that.

Thanks for that useful information, Wainuitech.

Now I understand the difference between products - and that good protection doesn't necessarily cost a fortune. 		Laura (43)
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