An informed computer user knows that anything effective at a
computer is already inside the computer. But that internal PC
protection can be overwhelmed IF the incoming transient is not
earthed before entering a building. Effective protection is
about earthing.

PCs have internal protection that assumes a building has a
properly earthed 'whole house' protector. Protectors are not
protection. Protectors are only effective when connected
'less than 10 fee' to protection - earth ground. Earthing is
why household electric must be upgraded or exceed post 1990
National Electrical Code (NEC) requirements.

So what does that adjacent protector do? It can even
contribute to damage of an adjacent computer when that
computer is powered off. Again, this is about first learning
what that protector actually does. Many who recommend plug-in
protectors don't even have a clue as to what it does. They
actually think it stops, blocks, or absorbs a destructive
transient. 3 miles of non-conductive air could not stop that
transient. Is a silly little plug-in protector going to do
what three miles of air could not? Of course not. Myths
promote plug-in protectors.

Effective protection is about earthing. So what does the
plug-in protector avoid mentioning to sell their overpriced
and ineffective product? Earthing. No discussion about
earthing means others will recommend the plug-in protector
only on 'word association'. If it is a protector, then it
must be protection? Wrong. Protector and protection are two
different components of a protection 'system'. So that myth
purveyors don't know this, the plug-in protector manufacturer
must avoid all mention of earthing. No earth ground means no
effective protection. The manufacturer forgets to mention
that part because plug-in protectors with grossly insufficient
joules are so profitable. Profitable especially when so often
recommended by myths.

Any protection effective at the computer is already inside
that computer. The plug-in protector is promoted by myths -
as demonstrated by no mention of the most critical component -
earth ground.

Brikp wrote:
I had a thought - Cheryl obviously has a PC and is at least PC
literate enough to find and post to this NG. Most would agree a
surge protector is a must have on her PC setup. We all have them
somewhere.

Why not do this.

I have installed and used in business un-interruptible power
supplies (UPS) that have power monitors in them and will even
'smooth out' the levels automatically. In other words maintain a
constant 115V when the line varies the +- 7 % it usually does.
Well, I am not recommending this as a long term solution BUT
they also have serial outputs a logging of events with
configurable thresholds. So, you can see where your voltage is
and record every time it exceeds a predefined threshold. This
one may do this
http://www.apcc.com/products/family/index.cfm?id=17 for $70. Worthwhile even w/o the issues she is having.

Just a thought.