Where I live and work (Brazil) it is common to use a converter to change the
voltage from 220 to 110.  Not because the computer needs it, but the
scanners, printers, etc. are 110 volts.  I find alot of these converters
wear out after two or three years and everything attached to them will start
giving shocks when touched (this includes the one attached to my Amana
refrigerator !).  My advice, change the power supply in the computer case.
The new ones are pretty inexpensive and you most likely will end up with a
higher wattage rated one.  Make sure you get the one with the correct
connections (ATA or ATX) by bringing the old one to compare.
To Rob Cilia, Subject: problems with compaq presario desktop
You are right about problems resulting from the PC being placed in the
basement.  Here where I live, people place plastic covers over their PC´s to
no avail, the humitidy and salt gets them.  The cases rust, the power supply
rusts at the air inlet and exhaust vents and the motherboards do all kind of
crazy things.  Com ports and PCI slots refuse to work or it starts exibiting
symptoms of a dead CMOS battery or worse.  I see brand new CD-ROMS and
floppy drives last less than 6 months.  Maybe you can make an air
conditioned closet?
Howard Rubin, Fortaleza Brazil

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