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Question

Help-- Power Surge Problems?

Jan 27, 2013 10:24PM PST

Hi all,

I work in an office that is deadly for computers-- on a farm. On Friday, we flipped a breaker (happens a lot). My old-ish Dell desktop was plugged into a surge protector... but now Windows won't start up. It just keeps cycling me to the "Windows was not properly shut down" screen where you can choose to start from safe mode... and no matter what option I choose, the computer reboots. Any suggestions on where to start? I work for a small non-profit and am, unfortunately, my own tech support. Happy

Thanks in advance for any help.

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Re: reboot
Jan 27, 2013 10:28PM PST

What I would do is restore my latest backup image, then my latest incremental backup. But maybe your backup scheme is different? Then you might need your Windows install disk for some repair.

Kees

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no windows install disks
Jan 27, 2013 10:43PM PST

Kees, thanks. Can you restore your backup image from the boot menu? Sorry if that's a stupid question. I'm fairly certain I have a recent backup image but I have never had to use it!

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Checkout...
Jan 27, 2013 11:51PM PST

If you have access to a backup image, then use it. You would need to start though using your OS disc. You gave no clue to what's what other than Dell PC.

Mount your Dell install disc(you have one?) and assuring from your bios area that the CD drive is the 1st boot device(check, change and save upon exit). -OR- upon booting from Dell and have hit F8 key until the safe mode, etc. menu appears select "repair option" if so present. If not then the install disc should have it. Once booted, it provide a menu to reload a "saved image" or restore to an earlier. the restore feature is MS process that you select a restore date prior to the problem. One way or another you should be able to correct the boot process. You can google for all these process and Dell even provides generic info as well.

Next, you power problems. I strongly suggest you fix them. A surge protector is a simple device and it maybe already defeated. It's protection is already gone, replace with better one. get yourself a UPS, to better isolate power issues and hopefully have time to do a proper shutdown. You should consider that the AC powerline for that computer have a electrician replace the ckt. bkr. with a surge rated one directly at panel. -OR- allow an electrician to inspect and suggest better options for that AC powerline to the computer area. In other words make that AC line a computer one.

FYI- I use a strip surge protector, individual AC surge protector per cord, line conditioner and AC wall(plug-in) surge protector. In most cases, any surge protector has LED to show its active, if they go out, the protection is gone.

tada -----Willy Happy

All any protection can do in the long run is reduce damage or give the option to shutdown(UPS).

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thanks all
Jan 28, 2013 1:11AM PST

Hi!

Thanks Willy & Kees. Got the computer up and running but had to reinstall Windows. I had not been backing up the drive, so I have to reinstall all of my programs but my documents/pics/etc. are all backed up on a cloud. Happy Tried to repair using options from the install DVD but it wouldn't fix it.

I know we have a power problem-- we're working on it. I work in an old barn converted to an "office" and my organization is just starting to expand... the building is wired for 1, maybe 2 employees and now we have 3. Happy Thanks though-- this is just more evidence for me to prove to my boss that getting another breaker on our office needs to be a priority!! He's hard to convince sometimes... doesn't quite understand technology.

Thanks again for your help.

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Your next best purchase might be a UPS which
Jan 28, 2013 2:15AM PST

minimizes the risk of these things happening. The Uninterruptible Power Supply will give you enough power to finish/save your work and do an orderly shutdown thus avoiding the problem you experienced.

Good Luck,
VAPCMD