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Topic: Strange computer event (Read 232 times) |
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Opus
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Strange computer event
« on: Jul 20th, 2004, 5:42pm » |
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Last night my wife and I were both using our UPS protected computers during a thunderstorm when a tree was struck across the road in the state Forest. The next thing I knew my Gnome desktop was going crazy, each window popped on top then scrolled up and down fast, and then was replaced by the next window. The pointer was shooting all over the screen and could not be controlled. My wife started shouting as she was trying to save her work but the windows were popping up and down so fast she couldn't. Eventually things calmed down on both machines and she was able to save and shut down and I was able to log out. I think my brain was fried too because I forgot to use alt/contol/backspace to kill X, and then I shut it down for no real reason, oh well, so much for up time LOL. The strange thing was that these were two separate computers running two completely different operating systems but were having the same effect from the lightning strike. I wonder if a electromagnetic pulse from the lightning may have induced phantom keystrokes and mouse movements for a period of time. The computer which has the optical mouse didn't have pointer problems but mine with a mechanical mouse and a track ball had a wild pointer with little control. NO* Data was lost in the event. UPSes are Great.
Opus/Paul
* added after Grants post
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| « Last Edit: Jul 20th, 2004, 8:45pm by Opus » |
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Zed-Zed-nine plural-Zed alpha,
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don
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Re: Strange computer event
« Reply #1 on: Jul 20th, 2004, 8:31pm » |
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Power surge?
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brain_cramps
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Re: Strange computer event
« Reply #2 on: Jul 20th, 2004, 8:44pm » |
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on Jul 20th, 2004, 5:42pm, Opus wrote:| ...I wonder if a electromagnetic pulse from the lightning may have induced phantom keystrokes and mouse movements for a period of time... |
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on Jul 20th, 2004, 5:42pm, Opus wrote:| ...Data was lost in the event. UPSes are Great... |
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| « Last Edit: Jul 20th, 2004, 8:46pm by brain_cramps » |
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Opus
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Re: Strange computer event
« Reply #3 on: Jul 20th, 2004, 8:48pm » |
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on Jul 20th, 2004, 5:42pm, Opus wrote:| Data was lost in the event. |
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Actually I meant No data.
Obviously a large amount out of brain cells were lost.
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Zed-Zed-nine plural-Zed alpha,
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fubar
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Re: Strange computer event
« Reply #4 on: Jul 21st, 2004, 12:24am » |
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Must be that voodoo linux shit
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Jeepgun
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Re: Strange computer event
« Reply #5 on: Jul 21st, 2004, 11:24am » |
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It's possessed by the minions of Hell, and my best advice to you my friend, is to immediately call a priest capable of performing an exorcism ritual.
What, you think I'm joking or something?
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Root
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Re: Strange computer event
« Reply #6 on: Jul 21st, 2004, 2:04pm » |
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Transient electrical charge? Did the hair stand up on your arms.
On the other hand. Have you managed to get on the short list of anybody from Haiti. 
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In the land of the dark the Ship of the Sun is driven by the Grateful Dead. -- Egyptian Book of the Dead
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Opus
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Re: Strange computer eventBoth
« Reply #7 on: Jul 21st, 2004, 4:43pm » |
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on Jul 21st, 2004, 12:24am, fubar wrote:Must be that voodoo linux shit
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Both Microsoft Windows 98 and SUSE 9.0 were affected in almost the same way.
on Jul 21st, 2004, 2:04pm, Root wrote:Transient electrical charge? Did the hair stand up on your arms.
On the other hand. Have you managed to get on the short list of anybody from Haiti. |
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No static that I could see, they were protected on the power end, I am figuring the keyboard was recieving signals.
I haven't made anyone angry except on this board, so who knows.
Opus/Paul
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| « Last Edit: Jul 21st, 2004, 5:18pm by Opus » |
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sailpappy
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Re: Strange computer event
« Reply #8 on: Jul 21st, 2004, 4:58pm » |
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Opus,
Power surges can come in through not only the power circuit, but also as noise on your internet connection, through your Phone Line or Cable connection.
I had a similar experience some years ago when I was on Dial up, living in Florida we have many lightning storms.
I have been on a UPS for the Power connection and have experienced Phone line phantom noise that affected my system like you described. Pappy
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brain_cramps
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Re: Strange computer eventBoth
« Reply #9 on: Jul 21st, 2004, 5:01pm » |
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on Jul 21st, 2004, 4:43pm, Opus wrote:| Both Microsoft Windows 98 and SUSE 9.0 were affected in almost the same way. |
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Damn Fu! didn't ya see that coming?
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Opus
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Re: Strange computer event
« Reply #10 on: Jul 21st, 2004, 5:22pm » |
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on Jul 21st, 2004, 4:58pm, sailpappy wrote:
I have been on a UPS for the Power connection and have experienced Phone line phantom noise that affected my system like you described. Pappy
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Thanks Pappy, Maybe it came in through my network. I guess I am not crazy after all, well then again.....
Opus/Paul
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Zed-Zed-nine plural-Zed alpha,
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