Disaster-Proof Your PC
Step 5: Hardware Protection APC's BACK-UPS RS 1300VA LCD Employing the above steps to safeguard your data are important, but it won’t protect your hardware itself in the event of physical loss or damage. Scenarios include theft, natural disasters such as floods, hurricanes and tornadoes, and localized events like fires and power-related issues that include brownouts, blackouts and lightning strikes. First, verify that your homeowners' or rental insurance policy covers the loss or damage of your computer. Some policies include this standard, but others require an amendment, especially if you have a sizeable investment. Whatever the case, make sure your PC is insured for full replacement cost. That's about all you can do to cover total loss. Well, that and backing up your data to an offsite location on a regular basis. Second, you can prevent most power-related damage by employing a UPS, a Uninterruptible Power Supply. While it's not considered an "essential" purchase by many computer users, investing in a quality UPS is a wise decision. Power outages and spikes can fry circuit boards, crash hard drives and generally make your PC unusable. A UPS protects against electrical damage by providing your system with battery backup (allowing sufficient time to safely shut down your computer without data loss), surge protection, automatic voltage regulation and dataline protection. Plus, it not only protects your computer, but all its attached hardware, too. The best USP devices also provide a connected equipment and/or data recovery warranty. Several companies offer UPS lines, and APC and Belkin are among the best. Devices are available that span a wide range of hardware needs from single low-end PCs to high-end game rigs with loads of attached peripherals, as well as multiple computers. Just make certain you properly evaluate your needs before purchase - buy an underpowered UPS and it won't protect your gear properly (as well as potential make your PC unstable). Both companies provide online tools to help evaluate your needs - here and here. A good example of a UPS for a high-end gaming PC, with significant internal and externally connected gear (including a large, widescreen monitor, printer, external hard drive, wireless router and broadband modem), is the APC BACK-UPS RS 1300VA LCD (pictured above) with an output power capacity of 780 Watts and sufficient time to shut everything down safely should you lose power (approximately six minutes at full load). A multi-function LCD status panel keeps you appraised on load capacity, battery charge, estimated run time and more. The unit also provides complete protection for all connected devices including surge protection, line filtering and dataline protection (RJ-45 Modem/Fax/DSL/Ethernet and cable); optional software even offers auto-shutdown capabilities. If a little more oomph is required, the APC BACK-UPS RS 1500VA LCD serves up 865 Watts. The RS 1300VA runs at around $220 while the RS 1500VA fetches $30 more. A more affordable, but less fully-featured and powerful, option is APC's Back-UPS ES 750VA (450 Watts) at $100 direct.
Conclusion The most unhelpful thing your PC will ever do for you... Disaster-proofing your game rig, or any PC, is not that difficult, but it does require advanced planning (and some extra cash). Following the five-step strategy above will assist you in recovering from a catastrophe and/or prevent it from occurring in the first place, securing your data and hardware investment in the process. Even if you can't afford to complete each step now, you can easily take a few, incorporating the rest later as time and money permit. It only takes one disaster to drive home the necessity of prevention. Don't learn the hard way.
Chuck Miller is a technology journalist and game consultant. For nearly two decades he has covered the computer and video game industries, filling editorial roles at Computer Gaming World, Game Briefs and GamePower.
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