Thunderstorms
First and foremost,
make sure your computer is protected, It should be connected to a quality surge
suppressor. Not all surge suppressors are created equal, a $5 powerstrip bought in a
hardware store will not offer the best protection, some may not offer any protection at
all. A good quality surge suppressor will usually cost between $25-$40, this is a small
price to pay to protect your computer system which may have cost several thousand dollars.
One way to tell if the surge suppressor is a quality unit will have a label listing the
device as UL 1449, this is a label given by Underwriters Laboratories
approving it as a valid surge suppressor. We do not recommend purchasing ANY surge
suppressor, regardless of price, if it does not have this label. Reputable brands include
APC, and Tripp Lite. One other thing to look for in a surge suppressor is
telephone/dataline protection. This goes in-line between your modem or network card to the
wall jack, and helps prevent surges from entering your computer from the phone or network
line. Phone line surge suppressors are also available separately, and usually cost between
$10-$20
Use common sense. If
you see a storm coming, or if your in the middle of the storm, DON'T USE YOUR COMPUTER.
Power it down, and even if you have a surge suppressor, UNPLUG IT. Do this to the power
connections, and especially the phone line. Don't rely on the protection you may have.
Your computer is an investment, usually a pretty pricey one. Don't risk damage which may
cost hundreds of dollars to repair because you just wanted to check your email or play a
game.
You may wish to
purchase an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) If you live in an area that is very prone to power
failures, a ups may be a good idea. A UPS contains both a top quality surge suppressor,
and a battery backup system. As a result, they are usually more expensive, they usually
start at $100. The purpose of a UPS is that if power is cut, it will automatically switch
over to battery power, allowing you to save your work and shut down the system. Depending
on your system, it may run for up to 15 min. on battery power. When purchasing, determine
the amount of power your system uses and purchase an appropriate model, Don't buy a model
that is too small for your system, you will overload it and it will not be able to
properly do its job. For ultimate protection remember, if possible unplug the computer
during a storm.
We hope that this has
been informative, and please, if your computer is not currently protected at both the
power AND phone line, purchase surge protection, $50-$100 dollars is not too much to spend
if it can protect against hundreds of dollars worth of damage.
V.90
Upgrade Information
On 4/16/99, Cheshire Network Services
upgraded our Digital 56k modem pool with more lines and the very latest 56k v.90 code. As
a result, you can expect increased performance and improved reliability. Some people
however, may experience connection problems due to this upgrade. Below is a list of modem
and computer manufacturers. If you don't know what kind of modem you have, call our tech
support department for assistance. The links below will bring you to the support area for
you modem. Here you should find a v.90 upgrade for you modem. If an upgrade is not
available, check back often, or contact the manufacturer directly for a solution.
A Word about 56k
Access
56k Modems can allow for
an enriching internet experience, pages download faster, and new technologies such as
streaming audio/video, internet phones, etc. are now possible. The one drawback to 56k
technology, is that it pushes the phone system to its limits. Rural areas, older
buildings, old wiring, and type of modem etc. are limiting factors to full 56k speed, Many
of our customers can connect at these speeds, however, in some extreme cases, you may not
be able to connect at these speeds or you may get disconnected even if you have the latest
v.90 code, If this is an issue, contact the modem vendor for any updates or assistance
which may be available, check your homes' wiring, and if all else fails, call the phone
company.
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