computer went clakity clack

[dolores]

:cool:
Hi!
Just chipping in.
Following advice from kindly cyber-pal, I now keep both my machines totally switched off at the wall switch if I'm away from the flat for any substantial length of time. The old machine, wot lives with me in the bedroom, I sometimes keep on (on sleeping mode or standby, not sure...) all night just in case insomnia strikes. The new one, in the front room, is always off when not in use and off at the wall if I'm not around.
I have very ordinary powerstrips (only over here we call them "gangs") but they all have individual switches. Should I really invest in surge-protected ones instead? The prob. with sur-pro is that they don't have individual switches.
Be well
Dolores

:)

[Alfons]

Surge protection is a form of very cheap insurance and they come in many flavours so here's what I'd recommend:

1. If you have a dial-up modem then make sure that you have a "Line In" and "Line Out" (or British Equivalent) on the surge protector.

2. If you use ADSL then make sure that it contains the protection for an RJ-45 connector (Commonly known as Ethernet or Data Cable).

3. If you use Cable, then have #2 as well as Input & Output for the cable.

4. Check that you have enough electrical outlets and that the Power Transformers / Power Supplies for things like scanners, printers, etc don't block access to any outlets when you've got one of them plugged in.

And that Dolores, is about all there is to check.