skywalkerkenobi

Q: Power Outage

My house just suffered a power outage (Blackouts).

 

My Mac works fine, I just want to know if it is bad for my Mac in a long run (My Mac was connected to a external 500GB Lacie HDD.).

 

My mac is a 13" Macbook Pro.

 

Just for some extra information, does Power outages affect Computer 2.0 Speakers? My model is a Bose 20, it was operating when the power outage happened(My Macbook Pro was also operating.)

 

Thanks a Lot!!

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.2)

Posted on Mar 26, 2012 10:33 PM

Close

Q: Power Outage

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

Page 1 Next
  • by John Galt,

    John Galt John Galt Mar 26, 2012 10:48 PM in response to skywalkerkenobi
    Level 8 (48,515 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 26, 2012 10:48 PM in response to skywalkerkenobi

    Your MacBook Pro is unaffected by such things since it's battery powered. The worst that probably happened is that it got confused when your external HDD was no longer available, prompting an admonition to not disconnect it so rudely next time.

     

    All my Macs have suffered from random power failures for years, the result of everything from lightning storms to hurricanes to toddlers pulling out power cords, with no apparent ill effect. Same for AirPort base stations.

     

    Having said that it is a good idea to have a UPS for desktop Macs, if for no other reason than to prevent losing your work.

     

    Don't know about the speakers.

  • by skywalkerkenobi,

    skywalkerkenobi skywalkerkenobi Mar 26, 2012 11:03 PM in response to John Galt
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 26, 2012 11:03 PM in response to John Galt

    I verified the disk and the computer said there was not problem.

     

    I also restarted and there was also no problem.

     

    So the disk is not damaged, hopefully?

  • by John Galt,

    John Galt John Galt Mar 26, 2012 11:42 PM in response to skywalkerkenobi
    Level 8 (48,515 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 26, 2012 11:42 PM in response to skywalkerkenobi

    So the disk is not damaged, hopefully?

     

    Not damaged. You can be as certain as possible.

     

    Hard disks have been designed for years to react to such events by parking their read/write heads in a safe "landing zone" within the first few milliseconds of an impending power failure. This minimizes the possibility of physically damaging the the hard disk due to a power interruption.

     

    The Mac's file system also maintains file system integrity by "journaling":

     

    Journaling is a technique that helps protect the integrity of the Mac OS Extended file systems on Mac OS X volumes. It both prevents a disk from getting into an inconsistent state and expedites disk repair if the server fails.

     

    When you enable journaling on a disk, a continuous record of changes to files on the disk is maintained in the journal. If your computer stops because of a power failure or some other issue, the journal is used to restore the disk to a known-good state when the server restarts.

     

    With journaling turned on, the file system logs transactions as they occur. If the server fails in the middle of an operation, the file system can "replay" the information in its log and complete the operation when the server restarts.

     

    Although you may experience loss of user data that was buffered at the time of the failure, the file system is returned to a consistent state. In addition, restarting the computer is much faster. Always remember to back up your data as frequently as necessary.

     

    If you had a Windows computer this might be a different story altogether, but you have a Mac. Rest easy.

  • by Courcoul,

    Courcoul Mar 27, 2012 12:03 AM in response to skywalkerkenobi
    Level 6 (14,193 points)
    Mar 27, 2012 12:03 AM in response to skywalkerkenobi

    As long as the electrical installation is within the norm, meaning adequate ground and properly polarized outlets, the power brick will be ok. If your area is prone to thunderstorms, adding surge protection to the outlets can be also a good preventive measure, as they will prevent any lighting-induced voltage/current spike from reaching the electronics.

  • by skywalkerkenobi,

    skywalkerkenobi skywalkerkenobi Mar 27, 2012 8:39 AM in response to Courcoul
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 27, 2012 8:39 AM in response to Courcoul

    Do you know if the hardware inside Computer speakers can be damaged by sudden lose of power?

     

    The model is Bose Companion 20.

  • by fane_j,

    fane_j fane_j Mar 27, 2012 4:45 PM in response to skywalkerkenobi
    Level 4 (3,667 points)
    Mar 27, 2012 4:45 PM in response to skywalkerkenobi

    skywalkerkenobi wrote:

     

    Do you know if the hardware inside Computer speakers can be damaged by sudden lose of power?

    None. Most electronics are not damaged by loss of power. (Some that may be damaged, eg, optical disc drives or hard drives, are actually electromechanical devices.) What can damage speakers (and other electronics) is the return of power. If there is a loss of power, make sure to switch the device off (switch it back on after power is restored), and, in the case of speakers, turn the volume to minimum. Turn it back to the desired level only after the power is restored and the speakers are switched on.

  • by skywalkerkenobi,

    skywalkerkenobi skywalkerkenobi Mar 27, 2012 5:28 PM in response to fane_j
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 27, 2012 5:28 PM in response to fane_j

    Thank for the reply,

     

    The speakers loss power during the outage.

     

    The device does not have a on off button.

     

    The device is working normal right now.

     

    I can assume that they are not damaged?

  • by fane_j,

    fane_j fane_j Mar 27, 2012 6:19 PM in response to skywalkerkenobi
    Level 4 (3,667 points)
    Mar 27, 2012 6:19 PM in response to skywalkerkenobi

    skywalkerkenobi wrote:

     

    The device does not have a on off button

    No, it does not have an "on off button"; however, it does have an electronic switch (see your user guide). As a rule, devices with electronic switches are automatically switched off when power is lost.

    I can assume that they are not damaged?

    You don't have to assume anything. With speakers, it's simple. You listen to them. If they are damaged, you'll hear it. If you don't hear any damage, they're not damaged.

  • by skywalkerkenobi,

    skywalkerkenobi skywalkerkenobi Mar 27, 2012 6:27 PM in response to fane_j
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 27, 2012 6:27 PM in response to fane_j

    So you are saying that the speakers would automatically shut down if it loses power?

     

    The speakers do not sound different after the outage.

     

    I also unplugged it and re-plugged it in to make sure. No differents.

  • by fane_j,

    fane_j fane_j Mar 27, 2012 6:31 PM in response to skywalkerkenobi
    Level 4 (3,667 points)
    Mar 27, 2012 6:31 PM in response to skywalkerkenobi

    skywalkerkenobi wrote:

     

    So you are saying that the speakers would automatically shut down if it loses power?

    The Bose Companion 20? Yes.

    The speakers do not sound different after the outage.

    So stop worrying and start being productive with your Mac.

  • by skywalkerkenobi,

    skywalkerkenobi skywalkerkenobi Mar 27, 2012 6:46 PM in response to skywalkerkenobi
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 27, 2012 6:46 PM in response to skywalkerkenobi

    Ok I will start to be productive on my Mac again!

     

    I small detail. The  voltage changing box is producing a near unhearable hum.

     

    Is that normal?

  • by fane_j,

    fane_j fane_j Mar 27, 2012 6:49 PM in response to skywalkerkenobi
    Level 4 (3,667 points)
    Mar 27, 2012 6:49 PM in response to skywalkerkenobi

    skywalkerkenobi wrote:

     

    The  voltage changing box is producing a near unhearable hum.

    What's a "voltage changing box"?

  • by skywalkerkenobi,

    skywalkerkenobi skywalkerkenobi Mar 27, 2012 6:55 PM in response to fane_j
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 27, 2012 6:55 PM in response to fane_j

    It is the box that is between the power outlet and the speakers.

     

    Bose names it switching power supply.

  • by fane_j,Solvedanswer

    fane_j fane_j Mar 27, 2012 7:16 PM in response to skywalkerkenobi
    Level 4 (3,667 points)
    Mar 27, 2012 7:16 PM in response to skywalkerkenobi

    skywalkerkenobi wrote:

     

    Bose names it switching power supply.

    I have a vague suspicion that you'll find that it's not just Bose that calls it a 'switching power supply'.

     

    Yes, it's normal.

     

    You worry too much.

Page 1 Next