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Here are some tips I think will help if you are about to experience serious electrical problems  such as from a hurricane or very bad storm.  We do this in good faith and in your interest.  We will not accept any responsibility or be responsible for damage or problems that might occur if out advice does not work.  We just try to do our best.
 
bulletBack up your data and take the backup with you.  Remember, your insurance company may cover the replacement cost of your equipment, but it does not cover the cost or restoring your data.  If you can't back it up you might want to take the computer with you.  If you are not backing up regularly, please start.  Floppies are the most unreliable backup you can have.  CD's are a step better.  Zips or Jump Drives (also known as flash drives, thumb drives, etc.) are terrific.  Rev and tape drives are much larger in volume and are excellent as well.
 
bulletBring a copy of your data and any important CD's and license information with you when you leave.  If you don't want to bring them along, put them up high, in an interior space in a strong, sealed plastic bag or, better yet, a safe deposit box.
 
bulletDon't wait to lose power, shut your computer off before that happens.  You have a greater chance of data corruption and hardware problems if you run your computer on inconsistent or dirty power.  When the storm gets close, leave yourself enough time to make your backups and to bring your computer down gracefully.
 
bulletUnplug the power cable to all computers, printers, monitors, routers, modems, broadband equipment (DSL or cable) and any other other computer equipment at the wall outlet.  There should be no cables of any kind connecting your computer equipment to the outside world.  If you are using a UPS or a surge suppressor, as you should be, you can just pull the plug to the UPS or surge from the wall.  [Naturally, you should take notes on what you do disconnect, better, label the cables, so you can reconnect them later. ]  Do not return power to the computer equipment until you know the power is stable, "clean" and reliable.
 
bulletDisconnect the Internet access cable to your DSL, cable or dial-up modem should you have one.  Remove the power and the cable or DSL cable from your modem.
 
bulletIf you cannot take your computer with you, place it up high, such as on a desk and put it in a strong, sealed plastic bag.  If you have an interior room, such as a closet, you might want to place it there.  Double-bagging isn't a bad idea either.
 
bulletComputers do not do well on generator power.  I recommend you avoid using your computers on generator power and wait  until the electricity has been properly restored.
 
bulletIf your computer equipment does get wet, let it air dry as soon as possible. We do not recommend you try to repair your keyboard or your monitor. Monitors can be dangerous since they maintain a charge for quite a while after being powered off. You might want to turn those components upside-down ()without electrical power) to let gravity help get the water out.
 
bulletIf the system unit (the "box" or "tower") does get damaged there is a reasonable chance the hard drive inside the system unit, or at least the data on it, is salvageable. So don't discard or turn the equipment over to your insurance company until you attempt to collect the information on the hard drive. You might want to remove the cover to the system unit so it will dry faster. The less time the water is on the equipment, the better.

 
bulletDon't return electrical power to anything that is wet or before you know power is no longer surging.
 

If you need help, call Coastal Computer Systems at 270-9997.

 

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Do you know ?

That it is often much cost-effective to upgrade your computer equipment than it is to replace it ?  Call us for an honest recommendation that is best for you.

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Why are some computers with the same specifications more expensive than others ?

In a word, the answer is "QUALITY", "PERFORMANCE" and "SUPPORT" . . . well, make that THREE words. Only you can decide if the extra cost is worth it.  If you can afford for your computers to be less reliable and / or slower, save your money.  Before you buy, ask your salesperson a hypothetical question, for example, how a hard drive crash a year from then would be handled.  Would they attempt to recover your data?  If reliability and performance are important, spend the extra money on higher quality equipment with the support you need.

     
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Coastal Computer Systems, Inc.
Hampstead, NC 28443
(910) 270-9997
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