Lightning hit...what happened?

So I was casually working on my computer when a big bolt of lightning hit my apartment complex

The computer was plugged into a surge protector so I didnt think any harm was done.

The computer shut off when the lightning hit and I had to wait about 2 minutes to start it up.

When it started up I noticed that the battery indicator was on, but it wasn't draining (the computer is still plugged into the wall)

So its running off the battery going down about 1% a day WITH the computer plugged in. With it unplugged the battery drains at the normal rate.

My friend has the same computer so I used his power adapter and also his battery...and still no luck.

The computer is a Compaq R4000

Thanks!

 

1. Were you also plugged into a network or any other equipment which was not on a surge protector? This would let the surge into your computer. Even if the surge protector was the only route, it may have not been 100% effective.

2. It looks as if something on your notebook's power circuitry is damaged and it is misreading the battery state.

John

 

Does your surge protector come with that warranty to cover what's hooked up to it? I buy Monster Power for that reason.
Electricity is an amazing thing and even though you have a surge protector, that won't stop direct hits from mother nature doing damage... My neighbor had many things fried in her home a couple weeks ago - all things plugged into the wall on one side of the house were damaged when lightening hit close by. All her electronics where on a surge protector device, too. Bad deal!

In my experience, basic surge protectors really only prevent damage from your local electric company's power fluctuation and surges. Hope you can get your notebook fixed soon!

 

Yea the surge protector is pretty old. Its actually a power strip that says "surge protect" or something on it, so its probably not that great for a direct hit of lightning.

The network was plugged in and I think everything else was in the same power strip.

 

A true surge protector for computers has:
1. Computer Power cord line protection.
2. Cable/DSL line protection.
3. Monitor power.
4. Printer Power.
5. Speaker power.
6. Extra Aux in.
7. Telephone In/Out

All power cords and line goes into the surge protector unit. I need to buy a UPS though, next target to buy.

Though your computer was plugged in the surge protector, your cable/dsl/telephone line weren't. Power spikes can travel thru these lines. An in-line power strip w/ surge protection is not 100% effective. Sometimes it takes a great surge to even trip the protection by then too late for your computer.

 

Surge protectors have a rating for how much of a surge they can protect against. Usually expressed in Joules. If the lightning hit caused a surge larger than what the strip was designed for, bye-bye attached equipment. A good reason to avoid no-name $10 surge strips.