Any electricians?

I don't want to comment on that house in particular. I am not an electrician but do some electrical installation with my job. There ultimately does not have to be a ground on your computer. You do run a higher risk of problems though. I run my laptop frequently w/o one when I am in foreign countries with a two plug adaptor (with all sorts of adaptors for that matter). It would bother me that the plugs are not grounded though. In my opinion I wouldn't take the risk on the old wiring. Someone else may have a different opinion. I am just thinking 50 year old wires combined with lack of sufficient grounding for your newer, prob higher amperage machinery eventually will not mix. In closing I'd skip it, unless you got some good renter's insurance, lol.

I'm going to have to say "it depends." Just because the outlet isn't 3 pronged doesn't mean that the outlet isn't grounded. There could be a ground conductor grounding the box. Those grey things work because they attach the ground plug to the screw that holds the face place which is connected to the frame of the outlet which is connected to the box which (if metal) is connected to the ground wire... Besides, most houses have the grounded outlets upside down anyway From what I remember, the ground on the PC power supply is important because of the +/- voltage. Gotta have a reference somewhere, right? I'll have to dig up my code book this weekend and see what the "law" says. Been a while since I've had to play with "low voltage" stuff

-Frank

In today's age of electronics and digital devices, it is becoming more important to have adequate ground. Sags & surges, a reality of overhead transmission lines, can last only milliseconds yet over time degrade electronics such as computers eventually causing malfunciton. (this is why you should have a regular back up routine for your pc B4 the hard drive crashes) To protect your PC's, Plasma TVs, DVD's etc w/surge protectors you WILL NEED GROUNDED OUTLETS.

As for the Oven & dryer, they use 220 volts vs 110 thus the 3 prong plug you see.

I live in a 60 year old home and w/existing, un-grounded wiring but I have added several electronic conveniences of life such as multiple pcs, HD TV, etc. I have run new grounded circuits to each of these rooms to serve these electronics and had the electrician install and connect to the ground in the main panel box, rewiring is too expensive and cumbersome.

BTW - I am not an electrician but work for the power company...we provide surge protection at the meter but surges/sags can enter through other avenues.

Try this link http://computer.howstuffworks.com/surge-protector6.htmor go to www.apc.com for more information on surge protection.

One other thing to look for...in older houses, weekend warriors have replaced older 2 prong outlets w/the newer 3 prong but there is still no existing ground connection in the old wiring. You can buy an inexpensive tester @ Home Depot that will tell you if it really is properly grounded.

yo, my boy burned down his pad because he had all sorts of power strips and extension cords running everywhere. Watch out. Peace.
Jdog