Computer fried after power outage -- what to do?

[Maple Leafs]

Got a call from mom today, upset that her new computer seems fried after the power went out during a storm last night. The system won't power up at all. The printer and other accessories in the same power bar seem fine, but the main cpu just sits there.

Any ideas on what, if anything, she can do? She's certainly not computer savvy -- is there somewhere she can take it to be fixed?

[MizzouRah]

Plug it into another outlet and see if that does anything.

If it's completely dead, meaning no lights or sounds whatsoever, I would suspect the power supply. If you have lights or sounds, could be the system board.

Have her look in the yellow pages for PC repair, but you can get ripped off - geek squad might be reasonable and the simpliest way to get it fixed.

OH, I just read it's a new pc - should have warranty on it, just don't tell them it was from a power outtage.

[Maple Leafs]

Yeah, I suggested trying a new outlet to her. But would it be possible for one outlet in a power bar to be fried, while the others are still OK?

[st.cronin]

Yeah, I suggested trying a new outlet to her. But would it be possible for one outlet in a power bar to be fried, while the others are still OK?

I'm not really a tech guy, but that seems very unlikely to me. However, when it comes to electronics, I've long since learned that anything you think impossible is, in fact, possible under the right set of circumstances.

Power supply was my first thought.

[timmynausea]

Power surges and/or lightning can ruin hardware. My parents have lost a couple computers, some modems (back in the 56k days) and even had a big screen TV ruined by lightning. In their cases, they took the computer to a local PC repair guy. The time when the TV and computer both got zapped, they were able to have their homeowner's insurance cover it.

Like Mizzourah said, it is probably either the power supply or motherboard that is ruined. Assuming that is the only problem (there could be more damage) it'd be like $100-$150 plus labor to replace. If there is a warranty, that is obviously the best bet.

[Glengoyne]

In the good old days this was almost universally the video card. Not sure if that is still the case. If it is on warranty, then surely do not attribute this to any sort of power situation.

Although with lightning, I've heard that the utility bears the responsibility for damages. In my sister's case. Lightning struck the pole behind their house, and fried a TV, stereo, a cordless phone, and melted one of those quick vac things to the wall outlet. The utility paid for the whole affair.

[Vinatieri for Prez]

Try the reset button. On a laptop button underneath, it's the tiny button you need a pen to push it with. Not sure about a desktop, where that is.

My current laptop had the little plastic thingy fall out of one of the USB ports. In a moment of inattention, I accidentally tried to stick the power cord into that port. This resulted in a spark and smoke emanating from the laptop - not good.

The computer was totally dead and wouldn't power up. I pressed the reset button and then the power -- and bingo the laptop turned on and has worked fine ever since. All that was lost was the one USB port which doesn't work anymore.