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P C T U N E U P S !
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Easy PC Maintenance for the rest of us!
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Publisher: Jonathan Leger Issue #012
mailto:jleger@... # of Subscribers 833

======== This Week's Feature Article ================================
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THE IMPORTANCE OF SURGE PROTECTION
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======== Feature Article ============================================
---------------------------------------------------------------------
THE IMPORTANCE OF SURGE PROTECTION
=====================================================================
by Jonathan Leger

There's a bad electrical storm outside. The thunder is crashing and
the sky is lit up like daytime from all of the lightening. You hurry
into your bedroom to unplug the computer from the wall. Now you feel
secure, because the computer won't get hurt from the storm...

The next morning you sit in front of the computer to check your
e-mail, but Windows tells you that it is not receiving a response
from the modem. You tinker with your internet settings and double-
check the Modem Diagnostics in Control Panel. It returns good
results, but still nothing. 'What happened?' you think as you go
to the local computer shop to have the problem diagnosed.

--------------------------------
Your Modem Needs Protection, Too
================================

Most people are not aware of the fact that your computer's modem (the
phone it uses to call other computers) can be fried in an electrical
storm EVEN IF YOU UNPLUG THE COMPUTER FROM THE WALL. The device that
we replace most in our customers' computers here at United
Technologies is the modem. We go through them like hotcakes! Why?

Because the modem can be fried by a surge in the phone line as well
as a surge in the power line. Yes, lightening does hit utility
lines, INCLUDING PHONE LINES, and will travel through the circuit in
your house and zap that modem like there's no tomorrow. So it's
wise to unplug the phone line that connects your computer to the
phone jack in the event of any storms.

What happens, though, when you are on vacation? Remembering to
unplug the computer is not usually high on the priority list of
things to do. Or what if you're having to work late unexpectedly.
Are you going to remember to unplug the computer every time you
leave the house, and is it really practical to do that anyway?
Surely not. So what can you do?

----------------
Surge Protection
================

There's a handy little device called a SURGE PROTECTOR. Do not
confuse a surge protector with a power strip. They often look very
much alike, but one is just a bunch of outlets and the other offers
protection from power surges and electrical storms.

We here at United Technologies always include a surge protector with
the computer systems that we sell, because living in a rural area as
we do, the power company is not as reliable as they should be some-
times, and power surges are common. Remember, too, that a power
surge that may not hurt your TV at all could fry your computer! A
computer is a sensitive electronic device, and though they usually
have some form of surge protection built in, it's hardly as effective
as it should be.

--------------------------------------
All Surge Protectors Not Created Equal
======================================

There's no question about it: YOU NEED A SURGE PROTECTOR. If you do
not have one, BUY ONE TODAY. But remember: all surge protectors are
not created equal! There are many, many kinds to chose from, and
they all claim to work well.

So which kind do you buy? There is one thing that separates a good
surge protector from a worthless one (and some ARE worthless--we've
had customers' dinky WalMart surge protectors melt and their computer
get fried anyway). That thing is INSURANCE. Do not buy a surge
protector that is not insured by its manufacturer. Let me repeat
that, because it's SO important:

DO NOT BUY A SURGE PROTECTOR THAT IS NOT INSURED BY THE MANUFACTURER.

If, in the event of electrical damage, the manufacturer is willing to
pay you to cover the cost of the devices you have plugged into their
surge protector, you can be reasonably sure that it's going to work.
But we all know how insurance works, and that sometimes claims get
denied. So be cautious. Also, because your modem is plugged into
the wall through the phone line, your surge protector MUST include
protection for your modem and phone line!

Let me tell you a little story about one surge protector in
particular that we've had great success with here at United
Technologies: the Belkin SurgeMaster II. Here are a list of its
great features:

[+] $35,000 insurance
[+] 8 outlets for all of your computer devices
[+] Protection for your phone line/modem
[+] Designed to plug in behind your desk without you having to
move the desk forward.






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---------------------
Belkin To The Rescue!
=====================

A customer of ours had a Belkin SurgeMaster II (Belkin being the
KING of surge protection). His laptop computer was plugged into it
in his mobile home (and if you know anything about the wiring in old
mobile homes, it's not usually too good!). There was a big storm,
and lightening hit the pole that fed his mobile home.

Needless to say, this caused a lot of damage! Every single appliance
in his home was ruined. Everything that was plugged into the wall
was destroyed EXCEPT HIS LAPTOP. He told us that his Belkin
SurgeMaster II was melted, but his laptop had ne'er a scratch! To
this day that laptop works great. So good surge protection is vital.

-------
Summary
=======

So don't delay! The next big storm could be the one that takes out
your computer or modem. If you don't have a surge protector, get one
TODAY. If you do have one, make sure that it is well insured!
Having a great surge protector (such as the Belkin SurgeMaster II)
will give you peace of mind the next time the lightening strikes.

----------------
About the Author
================

Jonathan Leger is a partner in United Technologies, a computer sales
and service firm engaged in cutting-edge technology such as wireless
LAN networking, traditional LAN networking in Windows workgroups, and
custom database programming.

Please direct all questions and comments regarding this issue, or any
suggestions for subject-matter that you would like to see appear in
PC Tune Ups to:

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You're GUARANTEED A CREDIT CARD
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You are guaranteed to qualify for two unsecured credit cards just by
meeting our basic requirements. At least 18 years of age? Make at
least $95 a week? Have a valid Social Security Number? Been at your
current job at least 6 months? You Qualify! Click the link below NOW.

http://www.beevy.com/card_search/csusa?77-1960

=====================================================================





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