The 'bulk shipment' of modems, fans, and power supplies came in last week. That and the hot weather herald the start of summer.

The daily thunder showers can be a real danger to your computer. The easiest way to prevent most damage it a good surge protector, or better yet a battery backup. Data and phone lines should also go through a surge protector.

All power cords to your computer, monitor and other equipment should go through a surge protector. Take special care to make sure any phone line connecting to the computer or printer goes through a surge protector.

Laser printers should have their own surge protector and be the only thing on it, with the surge protector plugged straight into the wall on a good 3 prong outlet.

Your ethernet (CAT5) cable should also go through a surge protector. Also if you have a cable modem or dsl you should have those on a surge protector too. Remember you must protect BOTH the power and the phone line or cable line coming into your cable modem or dsl.

All protection devices should be plugged into a good 3 prong outlet and checked twice a year.

In spite of these many protections it is still our recommendation to shut down all equipment when you can hear thunder or see lightning nearby.

Please feel free to copy and share this article. (or even print it out and put it with your 'computer' file.

If you need help setting this up, OR it is too late and you already have 'fried' equipment then give The Computer Dudes, Inc.
a call - 850.681.7552
or email cds@computerdudesonline.com

We hope you have found this article useful and that it saves you some 'hassle' later this summer. Check back soon for an article on heat damage to your computer too !

Todd W. Byars
from Tallahassee, FL