GetEasyComputerHelp.com Hurricane Preparations

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Hurricane preparations:
protecting your computer equipment

Storms in general, and Hurricane season here in South Florida in particular, justify some careful planning to protect sensitive electronic equipment, including computers, printers, and network equipment. The two main threats to guard against during a storm are electric surges (and brown-outs - not enough power) caused by lightning, and of course water (i.e. driving rain through damaged windows, and flooding).

Whether a storm threatens or not, back up your important data. That is probably the best investment you will make, according to people who had to suffer through trying to re-create data files from scratch that took sometimes years to do. For information on back-up options, click here (backup info).

Here is some advice on steps to take to prevent damage to your computer systems:

• Use a surge protector. Don't confuse a surge protector with a power strip. A power strip is nothing more than a few power outlets on a plastic box. They do not protect against power surges. Good surge protectors often come with a power surge rating (in joules) and offer some warranty against damage that may occur despite the protector.

• Use battery back-up, i.e. an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS): they have a built in battery that can power your computer in case of a power outage for a short period of time, generally 5 to 60 minutes. Most power outages last only a few seconds so a UPS will prevent you from losing your work. Never plug laser printers into a UPS.

When a lightning storm approaches.....

• By far your best bet is to power systems down and disconnect power cables (either from behind the computer or from the wall.. whatever has easier access) and all power cables to your sensitive electronics; there is a limit how much of a lightning strike in your immediate area that your (protected by surge protectors) equipment can take. If you are unsure you will be able to reconnect the cables, just use your digital camera to take a picture of the back of the computer with all the cables connected. Refer to that picture when you reconnect after the storm.

• If your computer system(s), printers, and network devices are near a window, move them away from the window and cover them in plastic just in case the window breaks and the systems would be exposed to driving rain.

• One more thing to keep in mind, coreless phones and televisions are also very susceptible to lighting strikes. Take care to protect them too.

Note:
GetEasyComputerHelp.com assumes no responsibility for problems resulting from using any of these tips or web sites listed. Please read our full Terms and Conditions if you have questions.

Note: GetEasyComputerHelp.com assumes no responsibility for problems resulting from using any of these tips or web sites listed. Please read our full Terms and Conditions if you have questions.

Note:
GetEasyComputerHelp.com assumes no responsibility for problems resulting from using any of these tips or web sites listed. Please read our full Terms and Conditions if you have questions.