COMPUTER TROUBLESHOOTERS SHARES THREE TIPS
FOR PROTECTING PCs FROM THUNDERSTORMS

LOUISVILLE, KY (April 1, 2007) – Spring and summer are tough on PCs and computer networks. The high seasons for thunderstorms, spring and summer typically spawn serious trouble for many computer users.

Some 100,000 thunderstorms are estimated to occur in the U.S. each year, with the bulk occurring between April and August. From mild spring storms to violent summer squalls, accompanying lightning damage totals as much as $4 billion to $5 billion annually.

That’s no secret to information technology professionals. Service calls routinely spike following thunderstorms. As owner/operator of Computer Troubleshooters in Louisville, Kentucky, Erik Eckel describes a distinct correlation. “It’s pretty simple,” Eckel says. “The more severe the storm, the more calls I receive.”

The culprit? Lightning.

The widespread adoption of high-speed cable and DSL Internet connections exacerbates the problem. Lightning strikes don’t always reach a PC through a power outlet. Instead, damage often occurs to PCs and network equipment when lightning travels into homes and businesses via cable and DSL lines. Just unplugging a computer or turning it off won’t prevent equipment damage or data loss.

“I see it all the time in the spring and summer,” says Eckel. “Lightning doesn’t discriminate. Once in – and telephone lines and cable modem circuits are two of its favorite entranceways – lightning often toasts everything in its path, from telephone answering machines and fax systems to modems, motherboards and hard drives.”

Fortunately, several simple steps help protect PCs, network equipment and data from damage and loss. While no method is foolproof, Computer Troubleshooters – whose franchisees provide a full range of computer and technology solutions to small-business owners, home office workers and residential customers – recommends the following strategies for minimizing thunderstorm threats:

1. Connect PCs and networking equipment using only quality surge protectors or battery backups. Simple inexpensive power strips provide no protection from electrical surges and lightning strikes. All computer equipment is sensitive to even minor electrical fluctuations; thus, each component and peripheral should be plugged into an electrical outlet providing some measure of surge protection.

2. Insist on network protection. Many inexpensive surge protectors and battery backups don’t effectively shield networks. When selecting a surge protector or battery backup, choose a model that safeguards DSL and cable network connections (and prevents lightning strikes from traveling through your network and damaging multiple systems simultaneously).

3. Connect the equipment properly. Surge protectors and battery backups are often simply unboxed and plugged in. Unless network cables are properly connected, the device may provide no additional protection.

“In my experience, computers and networking equipment are typically plugged straight into wall outlets or simple power strips,” adds Eckel. “When I do find quality battery backups in place, they’re rarely connected properly. Only by ensuring the devices are properly configured can you fully leverage their protection and minimize lightning threats.”

Computer Troubleshooters provides a full range of dependable computer, networking and technology services at reasonable rates to small businesses, home office workers and residential customers. The Louisville Computer Troubleshooters office can be reached at 502.767.3855; its Web site is www.ct-lou.com.

Computer Troubleshooters specialists are fully trained and are experts at diagnosing a broad range of computer and technology challenges.

Launched in 1999, Computer Troubleshooters now has more than 465 franchises worldwide, including more than 250 in the United States and Canada and the remainder spanning 21 countries, including Egypt, Greece, Romania, South Africa, the United Kingdom, Kuwait, Spain and Australia, where the company was founded by Wilson and Suzanne McOrist.

Computer Troubleshooters USA was named the top tech support business franchise company in 2005 by Entrepreneur magazine in its annual Franchise 500 rankings.

In October 2005, Franchise Times magazine named Computer Troubleshooters one of its top “Up and Comers,” ranking it #255.