Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

Lightening strike fried...?

Jul 28, 2004 1:10AM PDT

I recently had a lightening strike which seriously screwed my computer. I live in an old house w/out grounded outlets, which I think caused the problem. I am moving, though, so it won't be a problem again.

My question is, what should I replace? The computer makes sound when I turn it on; I can hear the fan working, so I know it's not the power source. But nothing beeps and nothing ever comes up on the monitor.

I am guessing it's the motherboard or processor, and that leads me to my next question. I don't feel comfortable attaching the processor to the motherboard, because I've heard it's difficult and easy to mess up. Is there somewhere I can buy them together and have the processor pre-attached? I feel comfortable putting together the rest of the computer.

Thanks...
Allison

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Re: Lightening strike fried...?
Jul 28, 2004 1:42AM PDT

When faced with this, a good tech will strip it down to just CPU/HSF, motherboard, power supply and the speaker. If it beeps, that's great. If not, you are looking at the four possible bad parts.

Bob

- Collapse -
"Don't Overlook..."
Jul 28, 2004 6:37AM PDT

Lightning or static electricity has the ability to erase your BIOS. In some cases I have found that a few instructions were altered and the machine would boot but not locate all attached devices. In other cases nothing happened until I used an EPROM burner to re-install the BIOS code and fixed things. The question remains, "Is it cost effective to go to the expense of having the BIOS replaced and still not fix THE PROBLEM?" If you have a resource to reburn your BIOS, and the cost is not too great, then try it, but last years boards are going for 50-60 bucks, and a replacement BIOS cost 30 plus.

Norm