Thunder and lightning - safe to be by the computer?

[A_S_G]

Well. .right now it's thundering and lightning, and I herd before that it's not safe to be in front of a computer? Is this true? :lol:

[Ebuski]

I'm pretty sure your house has something to ground any electrical charge from lightning, I tihnk worst case scenerio is that your computer will shut off, someone correct me if i'm wrong but I think all houses has somthing to ground lightning to prevent something like this from happening.

[DurfBarian]

It's safe for you.

You're an idiot to be risking your computer in that way, though. :p

[A_S_G]

It's safe for you.

You're an idiot to be risking your computer in that way, though. :p

That's what Warranties are for!! WoOt!!1!!one!!1!! :lol:

[Draconis]

The only danger is if it's connected to a phone line (metal, not fibre obviously.) Then a lightning strike on the lines could fry your box pretty badly with a huge power surge. I'm not sure if you can get the same phenomenon through the power supply though, they don't tend to run overhead power cables in residential areas.

[Mecal]

Well. .right now it's thundering and lightning, and I herd before that it's not safe to be in front of a computer? Is this true? :lol:


well, seeing as how thunder is nothing more than a mere noise, i doubt it. :surprise:

lightning on the other hand can effect it, if you have, like someone else said, a phone line hooked up... or if the lightning happend to hit your cable box (the one outside, if you have one - i do) then it would....

[Kawaii]

That's what Warranties are for!! WoOt!!1!!one!!1!! :lol:
Most warranties explicitly exclude atmospherical discharges.

[Fast Willie]

is it safe to store my cellphone taped to a 25 foot iron rod in the middle of a large field during a severe thunderstorm?

[Cain]

Myth: Turning your computer off during a thunderstorm will save it from being damaged.

Fact: Whether your computer is on or off makes absolutely no difference. The only way to protect it from a surge is to have a really good surge protector, or unplug it from the wall (and the phone line and/or lan cables)

[AeroJonesy]

My best friend got shocked (he thinks by his computer) when lightning struck his house. It blew out all the electronics in their basement, phones, TVs, computer, etc. He was near his computer/TV/printer when the lightning hit and he got hit in the arm. The lightning was strong enough to break their chimney and make it fall off.

[simplyLost]

I've heard that the lightning can travel through the monitor and out into your head.. killing you instantly.. but then again.. i've also heard there are gnomes in the dryer that steal my socks.......

-Lost

[Cain]

i've also heard there are gnomes in the dryer that steal my socks.......

-Lost

You have that problem too? Whew! It's not just in my head then!

[bigD72]

Lightning is a dangerous foe. Apparently it may be able to get you whilst showering or talking on a phone, there fore I must advise to you to stay on your computer and google for such facts or myths and find them true or false; whatever you do...do not quit searching until you find answers.

[piff]

You have that problem too? Whew! It's not just in my head then!
Heh, my gnomes are highly evolved, they steal my jeans and shorts....

Anyway, chances are that you won't have anything happen to you or the computer, since power outages and surges aren't all that common duirng storms, at least for me. Your chances of being affected are slim, and my computer is six years old an been through myriads of storms and it works fine.

[kernelpops]

A_s_G

I heard if you attach 3 wires to an electrical outlet, and your privates, you would be completely safe.

Because you will already be grounded.



DISCLAIMER: do not try this at home it is a joke!

[kernelpops]

Did you know it is Lightning awareness week.
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/06/0623_040623_lightningfacts.html

for some quick (and stupid faqs about lightning)

It is the number 2 weather killer in the world.

be afraid, be very afraid

[chessman4991]

The only danger is if it's connected to a phone line (metal, not fibre obviously.) Then a lightning strike on the lines could fry your box pretty badly with a huge power surge. I'm not sure if you can get the same phenomenon through the power supply though, they don't tend to run overhead power cables in residential areas.
That happened to me once. I'm not sure if it hit the power supply or the phone lines, but it sure as heck fried my comp pretty badly.

[Astrocreeper]

Make sure anything that connects to your electronics goes through a surge protector, including cable or phone lines.

I turned this up in a google search:

http://www.lightning.org/safety.htm

Check this out...
"If you feel a tingling sensation or your hair stands on end, lightning may be about to strike! Immediately crouch down and cover your ears. Do not lie down or place your hands on the ground."

Does anyone think electrical current can travel up your pee stream from the toilet? I wonder if this has ever happened to anyone :scratch: Where is Mr Wizard when we need him?

[Draconis]

Why in God's name would your toilet bowl (probably ceramic) be electrified?

[Jigga-Scrooge]

i once left my computer on and the lightning fried my dsl box.

[Jayaz_Forteck]

Dunno about your toilet, but that show Myth Busters tested to see if you could get electrocuted by pissing on an electrified train track thing.

You'd have to be barefoot, crouching, in tthe rain, and pissing 2 or so inches wide.

[theBlackKnight]

I <3 that show.

[Astrocreeper]

Lots of weather sites say things like "Avoid contact with piping including sinks, baths and faucets".

This led me to believe your toilet water could get electrified.

Maybe your pee stream wouldn't be wide enought to transfer the current to your unit ( according to myth busters ).

But if your dog just happened to be drinking from the toilet at that exact moment :idea: