Lightning + MacBook= Trouble

A few weeks ago, I was out with some friends when a powerful thunderstorm rolled through downtown Austin.  I remembered that my MacBook Pro was on in it's BookArc cradle, but I wasn't concerned about a surge because the power cord was plugged into a surge protector.

This was a huge mistake.

I had completely forgotten that the MacBook was plugged into an ethernet cable which was plugged into a U-Verse router.  When I came home, the gf informed me that there had been several lightning strikes around the building and that the office room had lost power.  I checked on the MacBook.  It seemed ok.   And it was ok, until the next afternoon.

Over the next day, the MacBook began to have trouble accepting a charge.  The immediate effect was that I could no longer use the large monitor (it can only run off a MacBook which is plugged in).  Very quickly, however, the MacBook stopped charging if the lid was open.

I took the MacBook in to the Apple Store, wherein the problem was quickly diagnosed.  The ethernet port was fried, and it had damaged the charging port in the process.   The solution: a new logic board.  The Apple Store offered to send the MacBook to their repair depot (where the logic board would be replaced for a flat fee), but they didn't offer to back-up data.  Instead, they recommended a Time Machine backup.

Backing up to Time Machine took a while with an ailing computer.  During this time, I decided to contact a third party Apple support solution.  I called Compuzone on West 5th.  For a slightly higher price than the Apple Store, they offered to send my MacBook to the same Apple repair depot (with the same flat fee) as well as back-up my data on their server.  Not only did they offer this, but they also gave me an estimate for a faster repair time.

I dropped the MacBook off last Wednesday, and it was in Compuzone this morning.  It appears to be working just like it did before the lightning storm.  Furthermore, Compuzone is much less crowded than the Apple Store.  Overall, it was about as decent of an experience as you can have with computer repair.

Moral of the story: be careful with your MacBook in the event of a storm with intense lightning, and don't forget to run your ethernet cable through a surge protector.  Also, keep an old computer around for a spare.  I would have been in a lot of trouble without my MacBook had I not kept my old Dell Latitude up to date and connected at my office.

If you are interested in stopping by Compuzone, they have a store located conveniently at 5th and Lamar (in the Homeaway building).  

Prism Risk Management Blog

There's a new post up on the Prism Risk Management Blog: SEC Disclosure Guidelines Urge Businesses to Disclose Not Only Cyber Attacks, But Also Risks

AYLA Docket Call: Tomorrow

If you're looking for a good way to get warmed up for the Austin Young Lawyers' Association Retro Vegas Party, then join us tomorrow night (5:30-7:30) for our monthly Docket Call happy hour at Abel's on the Lake.

Special thanks to the Barry Law Group and Hay Compere for sponsoring.

Events: AYLA Retro Vegas Casino Party

This Saturday is the Austin Young Lawyers' Association's annual fundraising party. This year's theme: Retro Vegas.  It's going to be good, and it's open to all young professionals in Austin.

Here's one of the latest official announcements (edited by me):

AYLA’s big year-end party is Saturday, May 19, 2012!

This is NOT just another gala-type fundraiser.  This is RETRO VEGAS.  So ditch the tux and turn up the style for a night of fabulous entertainment on the Cesar Chavez strip next to the Four Seasons resort.  Mix and mingle with showgirls, hit the craps and roulette tables, then catch the hottest shows on the strip at the Casino Lounge.  Plus, there will be awards presented - the Outstanding Mentor Award to Sara Foskitt and Alumnus Award to Jan Soifer - and fabulous prizes (like a UT football signed by Mac Brown and a movie poster signed by Veruca Salt and Mike Teevee).
And best of all, proceeds benefit the nonprofit endeavors of the AYLA Foundation.

Get your RETRO VEGAS tickets TODAY.

Prism Risk Management Blog

There’s a new post on the Prism Risk Management Blog entitled: Proposed “Consumer Privacy Bill of Rights” Could Protect Businesses Using Cloud Computing, but Also Makes Them Accountable to Employees

If you are interested in this type of content, check out the Prism Risk Management Blog as the past few posts have been about cloud computing and risks involving data online.  

Prism Risk Management Blog

There's a new post up at the Prism Risk Management blog about U.S. national security laws pushing other governments to nationalize the cloud computing and the resulting possible risks to your data.  Check it out, and be sure to add the Prism Risk Management blog to your RSS list.  Right now we're highlighting cloud computing and internet related risks but expect some new topics to be added into the mix soon.

Events: HYP Happy Hour

We had a great time at the May 3rd Habitat Young Professionals Happy Hour.   We had a good turnout from HYP members and guests invited by the event's sponsors.  And, of course, we are very grateful to Maker Capital and Ameripro Funding for the their generous support of HYP and Habitat for Humanity.

Stay tuned for information about our June HYP members happy hour.