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Ice storms have crippled the midwest and northeast this winter, and while Floridians don't have that problem, Fort Lauderdale computer repair experts are nonetheless familiar with the potential impact of severe weather on computers.

Below, a few of them weigh in on how to avoid fried power supplies and motherboards as a result of dangerous weather systems - and what to do if you've already been hit.

Here's a brief Ft. Lauderdale computer repair Q & A ...

Q. I am tired of my computer going down during a power failure. I am thinking about a battery backup system. What do you think of that idea?

A. What such a system is designed to do, according to a number of Ft. Lauderdale computer repair is not act as a generator that can continue unabated, but absorb a big power failure and keep your system running for a short period of time. That is, with the hope that the power will come back on. But if you're thinking you will keep working for hours and hours, you may be in for an unpleasant surprise. A $100 battery backup will get you 30-40 minutes of work time tops before you will have to shut your down - of course, that's better than zero minutes. Some will also shut your PC off for you, then shut itself off when that time period is approaching.

Q. When we bought our computer we bought a surge strip but still lost our computer and monitor after the power kept going off and on and off. A Fort Lauderdale computer repair person said the repair bill on both will exceed their value.

A. There is actually some potential good news amid this unfortunate situation. If you suffered a surge that damaged your equipment you can follow the instructions on the surge strip manufacturer's Web site and file a claim for the damage. That is the benefit of the surge strip; they often come with guarantees to cover replacement or repair of the equipment that was plugged into them. As for the loss of the PC / monitor, get a second opinion on the cost from a small, independent Ft. Lauderdale computer repair shop.