PC diagnostics post power outage.

[kol12]

What would be common PC diagnostics you would use following a power outage? Mainly disk error checking? I've had three power outages in two weeks now and I don't think my computer is going to like that much... I understand frequent power outages can lead to hard disk heads damaging the platters as well...

 

[azaran]

Run Disk diagnostics and memory diagnostics if you want to make sure. Also if your area is prone to brown/black outs, I'd consider a UPS.

 

[kol12]

Run Disk diagnostics and memory diagnostics if you want to make sure. Also if your area is prone to brown/black outs, I'd consider a UPS.

Do good quality PSU's respond well to blackouts and generally protect the motherboard?

 

[azaran]

Well a blackout isn't going to do much in the way of harm to the motherboard. Blackouts are a problem if you're in the middle of writing data as it can get corrupted while being interrupted mid write. What a PSU will have some built in protection against is fluctuations and spikes in the power. A good PSU will respond to that sort of thing better than a cheaply made one. If you're subject to a lot of weird power issues, dimming lights, spikes in power, etc, make sure you have a good surge protector and if you get frequent blackouts look at a good UPS.

 

[kol12]

How does Windows respond to sudden shutdowns? I suppose there is the risk of a system file getting corrupted but this is what the disk diagnostics will check on...

 

[azaran]

It usually responds with going through a self check, sometimes a drive check. However, do that enough times and corrupt the right files and Windows wont boot and will need a repair, rebuild or reinstall, depending on the severity of the file corruption.

 

[kol12]

It usually responds with going through a self check, sometimes a drive check. However, do that enough times and corrupt the right files and Windows wont boot and will need a repair, rebuild or reinstall, depending on the severity of the file corruption.

Ok, Windows system file check passed and disk checks were ok. Luckily we don't have regular blackouts but I started to get concerned after having three in two weeks, I should try and find out what caused them. My machine is plugged into a surge protected power strip but I'm not certain how good this particular one is. Do these need replacing after a certain amount of time?

 

[azaran]

It usually responds with going through a self check, sometimes a drive check. However, do that enough times and corrupt the right files and Windows wont boot and will need a repair, rebuild or reinstall, depending on the severity of the file corruption.

Ok, Windows system file check passed and disk checks were ok. Luckily we don't have regular blackouts but I started to get concerned after having three in two weeks, I should try and find out what caused them. My machine is plugged into a surge protected power strip but I'm not certain how good this particular one is. Do these need replacing after a certain amount of time?

If it was purchased in the last few years it should be fine. Depending on the make and model, build quality will differ of course. You don't need a hugely expensive one, but getting one with a high Joule rating and a warranty that backs up their product is a better bet than the cheapest one at a drug store.

 

[kol12]

If it was purchased in the last few years it should be fine. Depending on the make and model, build quality will differ of course. You don't need a hugely expensive one, but getting one with a high Joule rating and a warranty that backs up their product is a better bet than the cheapest one at a drug store.

Yeah it's only a couple of years old but definitely wasn't a hugely expensive one, it came from an electronics store so I'd say it would be pretty decent. My machines not showing any weird symptoms so I'll assume everything is ok. My PSU is top tier so I imagine it can handle this sort of thing...

 

[azaran]

Yeah sounds like you should be fine then.