Eric,

Lightening is measured in double digit MegaVolts (and higher?).
That much energy is going to spread through every available pathway
as it tries to dissipate -- and it will take out anything and everything
near it.

I would say your friend's system is history.

BTW if the strike was nearby, a UPS would be toast also.
The biggest advantage (lightening-wise) of a UPS is not
the UPS itself, but the insurance policy that comes with it.

Jim Meagher

----- Original Message -----
From: "Eric Johnson" <[log in to unmask]>

> A good friend just called me this morning saying his computer (an
> HP Pavilion Pentium III) won't start. There was a whopper of a
> lightning storm last night. You've heard the story before, right?
>
> I asked if he had it plugged in to his UPS - no. Was the modem
> connected too?, I asked - yes. The phone on the same desk was
> destroyed, he told me. He's going to check guarantee coverage.

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