I live in Cyprus, where we have many violent thunderstorms in the winter. Last winter I lost my entire system due to a close lightning strike. I have been advised to get a UPS. However, I read all that PC Guide has to say and there is no mention of protection from lightning. Can anybody advise me what is the best thing to do? I have a generic desktop computer, nothing special. Since last year I have got a CD-RW, so that I can back up now, which is an improvement

A CD/RW and a good backup strategy including an imaging program such as DriveImage7 or Acronis True Image will let you backup your data so you can recover from disasters like lightning strikes.

A good UPS will protect the computer hardware if you also protect all the peripherals and network/phone connections at the same time. Some include coverage for hardware damage (APC) in the event lightning gets past the protections.

APC (http://www.apcc.com)

Originally posted by PrntRhd
A CD/RW and a good backup strategy including an imaging program such as DriveImage7 or Acronis True Image will let you backup your data so you can recover from disasters like lightning strikes.

A good UPS will protect the computer hardware if you also protect all the peripherals and network/phone connections at the same time. Some include coverage for hardware damage (APC) in the event lightning gets past the protections.

APC (http://www.apcc.com)

I don't have DriveImage7 or Acronis True 7 and I don't know what an imaging program is or does, though I expect I could get one here OK.

When you say 'a good UPS' - how do I know which is good - and how much is it likely to cost?

Incidentally, my computer WAS covered for lightning on our house policy, the insurance repaired it - but it took three weeks and it was not right since until I got it fixed again by someone else. Might this not happen again with the APC (what does that stand for?) you suggest?

A Number of companies make good UPS unit.
APC, tripplite along with others.

What you should look for depends in what your system is and How much power is required to run it.

What you connect to the UPS should all be protected against power surge and Lightning strikes

How you connect it depends on your needs

For example .
My UPS has one of the two monitors and the main unit connected to Backup power connections
Everything else is connected to the surge protected outlets only

In the event of a power outage
I have the computer and one monitor still working and can see to shut everything down.


You should also look at how the UPS provides power to your system,.
Most have a millisecond delay when the power fails
And it switches from the out let power to the battery backup
A FEW have a setup where the system runs off the battery all the time
And the outlet power simply keeps the battery changed

The type and size you get depends on the amount of time you need to get everything shut down

check out the spec’s on the units you think you can afford and see what they list for supported power out put and how long.

Be for warned they are not cheap

I like APC very much. They are very responsive to e-mail questions and make a very reliable product.

I have also purchased several Energizer UPSs because Staples had them on sale for $9 (instead of $39) after rebate. They run well and are no problem.

Either of them will power down your machine after closing open applications. They do this just before they run out of power to keep the machine running. A nice feature if you happen to not be home when the power failure occurs. From my reading UPSs do a better job of protecting you from lightening strikes than your everyday surge protector.

Please verify anything stated above before purchasing any product.

Might this not happen again with the APC (what does that stand for?) you suggest?
It may happen again but an APC UPS would make it allot less likely!
American Power Conversion Corp. (http://www.apc.com/products/) Best known for UPS (un-interruptible power supplies) but also manufacture many other products for the IT industry.

I have this one, and for the money and features, its a great deal. Made by Ultra. It has auto shutdown too. Has a ton of features. Only 79$ to boot! (No pun intended)http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=770423&sku=ULT31502

If you get one don't forget to run any dialup modem through it. It would be pointless to be protected on the power side and destroy things if lightening hit the telephone lines.