On 2010-05-23, at 12:23:23, R. M. Klippstein wrote:
  

Hey Doug,  FWIW -- an brief overvoltage condition can fry power supply's in computers (and newer Televisions, routers and other devices)even though they are turned off.This has happened to me twice down here in Mexico and my son in the U.S. just had the same thing happen to him on his computer & Television as the result of a thunderstorm. Guess the only 100% safe thing to do is to kill the power switch in back on the power supply.
    

Thanks for the thoughts, but I use an UPS, so none of the above should
apply. The best explanation, that I have seen, is this:

If so, I know why your old one died. You've been working it flat-out until you went away. When the garage door went down and all was still, it said to itself: "He's gone! Now for a little well-deserved shut-eye." It just didn't wake up, that's all. :-)