ADSL + thunderstorm = fried modem

[DsW]

My PCI ADSL modem stopped working on Thursday last week and I couldn't figure it out. Tried re-installing the drivers etc. and nothing. Raised a call with my ISP because I thought it was a BT line fault or something.

Eventually went and bought a replacement modem to see if it was the modem itself.

Guy in the shop says "ah.. fried modem? I've sold about 60 or 70 modems in since the thunderstorm on Thursday.".

Moral - get a surge protected for your ADSL line! It might just keep your £200 router safe.

cheers,
dave

[wberg]

I would rather use an external modem

[DsW]

I would rather use an external modem

That wouldn't make any difference - if there's a power surge down your phone line and there's a modem connected to it (internal or external) then there's a fair chance it'll fry!

[Steve]

My router rig (linux box) has the phone line going through a surge protector. Hopefully that'll keep it safe.

[Skeps]

That happened too me late last year. I always unplug it when not in use now!

[Da Hoe]

Heh unlucky, personally, I would cry

[wberg]

That wouldn't make any difference - if there's a power surge down your phone line and there's a modem connected to it (internal or external) then there's a fair chance it'll fry!

No I know, but I'm thinking of your computer. It can damage your motherboard if you'r unlucky.

[DsW]

No I know, but I'm thinking of your computer. It can damage your motherboard if you'r unlucky.

Luckily mine was ok, but they guy in the computer shop said several or their servers had other components fried as well. Nasty!

cheers,
dave

[TiG]

Heh, always disconnect phone lines/adsl when a thunderstorm is happening, same with power plugs if u've not got any surge protectors. The amount of people who have lost kit because of thunderstorms is crazy.

TiG

[streetster]

we lost a 14.4k modem to a thunder storm in the years gone by.. was a good excuse to buy one of these newfangled 56k (56k flex, rather than the other type which was about).... still the adsl line is now going into a surge protection doodar so nothing blows up

[wberg]

Heh, always disconnect phone lines/adsl when a thunderstorm is happening, same with power plugs if u've not got any surge protectors. The amount of people who have lost kit because of thunderstorms is crazy.

TiG

I'd rather say, Laptop + UPS to ADSL-modem + Posting in hexus forums during thunderstorms