All of this rain, if you live on the east coast you know what I mean.

Saturday night (I was not home), dh said he heard what sounded like a light bulb exploding.

I do know lightening does come from the ground up and apparently hit close to home and a lot of the neighbors were affected.

It blew my 1 telephone line out (new jack and phone needed).

And of course since I was not home, no one turned off the computer so it blew.

Is there anyway to get my old system up and running enough to download files without taking it to a specialist?

It's been a long few days (we live on the side of a mountain so no flooding). However, we have had at least 7-8" of rain. Not complaining, we were probably in a deficit of at least 5".

So how have you been weathering?

By Tayjar on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 12:02 pm:

Marg - I'm sure you know this but check with your homeowners insurance regarding your computer. Taking it to a specialist and replacing the computer may be covered under your homeowners insurance. The phone and jack may be covered, too.

By Crystal915 on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 12:09 pm:

I agree, take the computer to a specialist if you need to recover stuff off the hard drive. I'm glad everyone is ok! A scary story for you, we're not being hit with those storms, but we had some serious lightning storms about a week ago. A friend of mine was out in the field for a training exercise, and THREE of his soldiers were indirectly struck by lightning. They were standing in a puddle, it struck the ground and went through all of them. He said they heard the call over the radio that they'd been struck, and found them all on the ground, in shock. One was med-evac'd, the other 2 were taken by humvee to the hospital (they are all ok, thankfully). YIKES! It's going to be a long summer at this rate!

By Dawnk777 on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 12:27 pm:

Sarah and I turned off the computers twice yesterday. This morning, I could hear the thunderstorm approaching and I was just too lazy to go shut off the computers (There are three!) so, I didn't. I kept wondering if I should or not, though. This one had LOUD thunder, so it was pretty close. We were fine, though. Usually, we are good about turning off computers, during a storm. Sometimes I think we should turn them off, before we go to bed, during the summer.

Once I was out with the dog and had a big flash, right in front of my face. I was fine, so I don't think it struck me, but it was pretty darned close. I try to get Jasmine outside, when I know the storm is coming, so I don't have to be outside during it. She didn't go that time, anyway. I think she was too freaked out, like I was. She pretty much ran for the door.

By Cocoabutter on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 03:28 pm:

It isn't enough just to shut off the computers. They must be unplugged from the electrical outlet as well as disconnected from the internet source. A surge protector is no match for a lightening strike. Absolutely anything that is plugged into any outlet can get fried if your house is struck.

By Tripletmom on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 03:35 pm:

Ditto Lisa-We had a surge protector for our last computer and it fried it.It was very old and it fried it completely.My t.v. was also hit and it was not salvageable.I hope you can salvage your stuff.

By Dawnk777 on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 03:43 pm:

We do unplug the computers, but I haven't ever unplugged the connection to the cable modem. Fortunately, we haven't ever been hit by lightning, but it happened to a friend of DH's, but only his modem was fried.