Pc is not working properly since Lightning hit

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erickz_

Honorable
Dec 1, 2012
8
0
10,510
Hello,
yesterday my pc was on when lightning hit turned It off (It wasn't even raining).
Then at first I realized my wireless router tosted and my pc wasn't working (It didn't even beeped) - the light and fans were on but It didn't started.
I switched the jumper and tried again, checked the memory and cables and tried again, It didn't work.
After a some time I tried again, It turned on but asking to recover the bios, however when I tried to press F1 It didn't work, It was freeze. I then tried to press del before get to that screen, I accessed the setup but I at the advanced mode It freeze too.
I restarted and It worked, my files are all fine but my internet isn't working even though I connected the pc direct to my modem. Also I realized the network board at the device manager isn't there.
I tried to restart but my pc didn't work.

So in the end (tl;dr):
- My internet isn't working;
- I can't access the advanced mode in bios setup, It freeze;
- Sometimes my pc start and some don't - although the fans and lights are always working.

Any guess what I might do to solve this?
 
Solution
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That surge protector did exactly what it was designed to do. It does not claim to protect from surges that cause damage. If you did not have a 'whole house' protector, then the power strip protector may have compromised superior protection found in all computer power supplies.

So, if it was lightning, then first establish what the incoming and outgoing current path was. To have damage means both paths must exist. And damage is only in some part between that incoming and outgoing path.

For example, did your modem connect to a phone line or cable that already has the required and robust protection? That is never a protector. That is single point earth ground. Located...
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Calvin7

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Feb 19, 2013
11,725
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You can usually prevent damage to your PC by using a $20 Surge Protector. You can buy a new LAN card or USB dongle for getting on the internet. It seems you have further damage to your PC. Maybe the power supply or motherboard may also need replaced. See if you can get a reading on the voltages (+3.3v, +5v, +12v) in your BIOS.
 
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erickz_

Honorable
Dec 1, 2012
8
0
10,510
Thanks for the repply Calvin.
In fact I use surge protector besides It's kinda old.
Yesterday I removed the battery from my motherboard and now pc works fine again. Since I could play dragon age without a problem I guess I can say It's ok.
However I still got no internet, I tried to connect my pc to a new wireless router and It doesn't recognize on It (with my notebook It does ok)
In overall I think the damage was:
- Wireless router toasted;
- Modem turn on but It doesn't work;
- Network card also not working.
 
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westom

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BANNED
Mar 30, 2009
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19,160

That surge protector did exactly what it was designed to do. It does not claim to protect from surges that cause damage. If you did not have a 'whole house' protector, then the power strip protector may have compromised superior protection found in all computer power supplies.

So, if it was lightning, then first establish what the incoming and outgoing current path was. To have damage means both paths must exist. And damage is only in some part between that incoming and outgoing path.

For example, did your modem connect to a phone line or cable that already has the required and robust protection? That is never a protector. That is single point earth ground. Located at the only place that protection from destructive surges can exist - at the service entrance. Inspection of your surge protection (starting with its most important component - earthing electrode) will better say if that was the outgoing path.

Well let's assume that 'industry and electrical code' required protection existed. So that would be the outgoing path. Damage is often on the outgoing path. So that would be the network interface?

Only utility wire that does not always have effective protection is AC mains. So that would be an incoming path to all household appliances. Only damaged are appliances that make a best and outgoing path to earth. Anything else damaged? Incoming on AC mains. Adjacent and ineffective protector bypassed protection in its power supply Surge from AC mains connected directly into the motherboard. Outgoing (we assume) via the network cable. Verify integrity of parts that would be incoming and outgoing in that current path.

Meanwhile, learn why every appliance in the house (dishwasher, GFCIs, furnace, clocks, stove, smoke detectors - the most critical item when a surge occurs) remains at risk. Next time get something that is completely different. Also called a surge protector. And is the only solution used in every facility that cannot have damage. And always ignore the myth purveyors who recommend $20 protectors ... that do not even claim to protect from your type of surge.

What is probably happening. The entire computer has a separate bus so that the BIOS can find and configure all computer peripherals. Something connected to that bus has been damaged probably causing confusion and conniptions to the BIOS - that is then periodically locking. This is only one possibility. More can be said once the probably incoming and outgoing surge current path is better understood.

 
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