I'm Back Online
(Posted 7/23/2006) - After a recent thunderstorm my wireless router became a brick. When my son found out I had no internet connection he ordered a new router and what's called an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) so that rapid power drop outs wouldn't lockup my router and modem so easily.
He drove down this weekend and installed the UPS and a new Linksys WRT54G wireless router. Things are back online and I'm once more happily cruising the internet and getting my email.
I don't pretend to understand why this electronic stuff seems so easily fritzed by electrical power outages. Jon says he researched the failure modes and discovered that wireless routers are especially likely to die or lock up when they experience quick power off-on cycles.
The 15 pound battery in the UPS is supposed to keep power on even when my power outlets go dead / flicker. He's got my router, modem, and cordless phone/answering machine on the battery system now. I'll keep my fingers crossed that everything works.