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Home computer
First steps
Do NOT turn the computer on "just to check it out." If your computer is soaked or caked with debris, turning it on will probably do more damage to your data than the flooding did, experts say. Even if the system appears dry, here's what to do:
Unplug the computer before turning the house's power back on. Power might not be reliable initially, and a power surge could damage computer components that otherwise survived the flood.
Assess the amount of water damage. There's hope no matter what, but what you do depends on the extent of the damage. Don't just hope for the best if the machine is currently dry, either. Look for signs such as high water marks on walls or grit on the machine.
What to do next
If your computer was clearly soaked:
The bad news: The computer is probably a goner. The good news: Your data often still can be saved.
That's because while a computer's electronic components are very fragile, the hard drive where the data is stored is actually very hearty -- as long as you don't turn it on before it's cleaned, that is. That's because it's the grit left over when the water dries that's most dangerous, potentially scraping up the disc-shaped platter as it spins.а
If your computer appears to have stayed dry:
Wait for the power situation to stabilize. Once it seems to be functioning normally, plug the computer into a surge protector, then plug the surge protector into the wall. If there are any questions about the reliability of power, an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is probably worth the investment. These devices ensure a few extra minutes of operation in the case of a power outage.а
If you're not sure:
If it's not clear what's happened to the computer during the flood, one option is to remove the hard drive and turn on the computer to see if it starts up. If a boot disk or CD is available, try using that to see if the computer will run. If it will, it's a good bet -- but not a sure one -- that the hard drive didn't suffer water damage. However, when in doubt, take out the hard drive, and bring it to a professional.
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