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Lightning strike gets computers though network, what's broken?

Joshmcmillan

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Hello.. We had out computers unplugged for a thunder storm.. While I wasn't even at home my brother plugged his computer and modem back in (connected to mine with network cable to switch to mine)... We then had a sudden lightning strike, sparks came out of the modem, now his won't turn on, and mine won't boot windows or knoppix or anything but has bios.. Both blew up so no way to test hard disks or video cards/ram.. I assume motherboards are definitely gone as it went through the network cables.. But how likely is it other things broke? By the way, The modem is fine!?!?
 
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Are you sure the modem is fine? Unplug it from your pc before starting it up. Lightening strikes mostly travel through phone/modem lines.
 

Joshmcmillan

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Yep.. Using the wifi from the modem on my iPhone right now.. And have an old P4 plugged in.. Is there a bootable scan disk? Like memtest86 for for hard disks?
 
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coz lightning has thousands volts it may leave burnt trace, so check any burnt on your pc.
i guess for this case you need to check it one by one, first your board try to run it or run it without ram, does it beep? if it doesnt i guess the board is gone
The modem is fine!?!?
really? it should be dead of electricity shocking :eek:
 

Joshmcmillan

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Sparks physically came out of the modem, yet like I said I'm using it right now, and the switch on between my computer and the modem.... HUGE!!! Coincidence that my computer failed completely in related??? It's def something hardware blown coz it won't boot off removable disk either
 

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since the symptoms dont match up (router is fine) maybe its something else... maybe he used your PC, trashed your OS and decided to blame it on lightning while you werent there.
 
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since the symptoms dont match up (router is fine) maybe its something else... maybe he used your PC, trashed your OS and decided to blame it on lightning while you werent there.

I'd kill my brother if he did that.
 

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I'd kill my brother if he did that.

I wouldn't kill him , I would however beat the shit out of him and make him buy me a BRAND NEW COMPUTER ! What the hell was he thinking ? What a mullet head ! :slap:

Yeah this happened to my brother years back he was on the computer and a lightning bolt hit the tree in the back yard ( Causing $1000.00 dollars in damage to home and tree ) . It sent a shock wave through out the home and him as well frying his computer and I mean it took ever thing out ! Best bet is to go through your system peace by peace and try to narrow down just what fried . But even better beat the shit out of your brother and make him buy a new one for you ! :laugh:
 
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Anything that has a physical connection can be bad...
To really find out you will need to test each individual component completely.

I have seen DSL modems get hit and fry ethernet ports, and even mainboards.
I have seen dialup modems get hit and fry mainboards and ram.
I have seen power supplies get hit and blow the board off a hard drive.
 
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since the symptoms dont match up (router is fine) maybe its something else... maybe he used your PC, trashed your OS and decided to blame it on lightning while you werent there.

yeah, i guess if it hit by lightning thru the wire all that connected to it should be RIP by then, i remember the case in my office, it blowed up the modem and the hub and the lan card
exception if your case not like that
 
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since the symptoms dont match up (router is fine) maybe its something else... maybe he used your PC, trashed your OS and decided to blame it on lightning while you werent there.

got to agree with m here

hm hm .gif maybe you cheesed him off some time ago and he hit the pc with a spark from a stun gun to get back at you?

or he tried overclocking it and killed it :eek::shadedshu

I wouldn't kill him , I would however beat the shit out of him and make him buy me a BRAND NEW COMPUTER ! What the hell was he thinking ? What a mullet head ! :slap:

Yeah this happened to my brother years back he was on the computer and a lightning bolt hit the tree in the back yard ( Causing $1000.00 dollars in damage to home and tree ) . It sent a shock wave through out the home and him as well frying his computer and I mean it took ever thing out ! Best bet is to go through your system peace by peace and try to narrow down just what fried . But even better beat the shit out of your brother and make him buy a new one for you ! :laugh:

:laugh::roll::laugh::D
 

Joshmcmillan

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Haha.. Unless he blew up his own computer as well, pretty sure it was lightning ;)
We found that we has an old 2600+ computer with SATA so we should be able to test hard disks..

In the mean time, does a couple of i3 540's with 4gb of ddr3 sound like ok replacements? :) or would e8400 or i5 be better options?
 
T

TAViX

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sparks from something = you can throw it away ASAP! ;)

btw, why are you not using grounding to your power plugs and also an electric panel with lighting proof safety resistors? Also you need a similar stuff for your phone lines...
 
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We don't have to worry anout that so much over here. Most electrical stuff is grounded. Including my PC.
 
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lighting proof safety resistors

No such thing really. Even after a good lightning strike blows any breaker or any other type of safety device if the voltage still remains high enough it will just continue through the air again.
 
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