Need Advice Concerning Loss of Computer and Monitor

[edifyingkarma]

Here is the story

Yesterday I went to switch my powerstrip containing my computer and tv/monitor to a different outlet so that I could plug my airconditioner in and not blow a circuit breaker.

Apparently the socket that I plugged my very expensive items into was bad and it caused a short that fried every last piece of equipment in my signature.

We rent but do not have renters insurance

WTF should I do, All opinions are welcome.

[chaz9999]

A friend had his comp zapped during a lightning storm (crappy surge protector?)

He was renting an apt and had the same issue - no renter's insurance. He ended up chalking it as a straight up loss.

[Heather Taylor]

Unfortunately, unless you have insurance, not much. Did you build your own or is it from a manufacturer?

[brokenarrow03]

Was your stuff on a surge protector that has a $$ back guarantee? It may be worth looking into...

[zandor]

You might be able to go after your landlord for it. Most places have laws on the condition and maintenance of rental housing, so there's a good chance that a defective outlet might fall under one of those. Lawyers will generally offer a free consultation, so it wouldn't hurt to call one.

In the meantime, don't mess with the outlet. It may be dangerous, and if you do decide to sue you'll need to have a professional inspect it to prove it was the outlet that fried your stuff.

Any electricians/wiring gurus have any idea what might be wrong with it? Wired for 220V?

[cyclone3d]

Either they hooked up 220v to it -- although a lot of power supplies have auto 110/220v switching. Or they switched hot or neutral with ground. No surge protector will protect it if that is the case and sounds more like what happened.

I actually had this happen to me when I was in college. The genius student maintenance workers fried my computer monitor and quite a few other electronics in the dorm I was staying in. Just from my monitor that smoked out, the one wing of the first floor of the dorm smelled like burned electronics for a couple weeks.

Luckily the monitor was on warranty and I was able to get it replaced.

[edifyingkarma]

Either they hooked up 220v to it -- although a lot of power supplies have auto 110/220v switching. Or they switched hot or neutral with ground. No surge protector will protect it if that is the case and sounds more like what happened.

I actually had this happen to me when I was in college. The genius student maintenance workers fried my computer monitor and quite a few other electronics in the dorm I was staying in. Just from my monitor that smoked out, the one wing of the first floor of the dorm smelled like burned electronics for a couple weeks.

Luckily the monitor was on warranty and I was able to get it replaced.

This is what happened, there was a piece broken off in one of prong sockets and it was causing electricity to surge through the ground and this caused a short. :(