Protect your PC from unexpected power problems by installing an uninterruptable power supply (or UPS) between the wall outlet and your system. You can obtain very capable UPS from your local computer store for less than $200. After connecting the PC and monitor to the UPS, it will continue to power your system for several minutes after a power failure--just enough time to save your work files and shut down the system properly. When power returns, you can restart the system and continue without losing any valuable work. For best protection, select a UPS with built-in surge/spike protection features. Don't bother protecting high-load devices like laser printers. They're not critical to the PC, and you can always restart the print job when the power returns.

Formerly part of Computer Currents, Stephen J. Bigelow's Computer Advisor column has been resurrected on computeruser.com as a daily tech tip column. Find Stephen at www.dlspubs.com.