I really depend on my computer and I don't know ANYTHING on what flammable material are in a computer. I want to know what are the dangers if a computer is placed in a burning room beside of being overheated if it's on. I live in an appartment and I don't trust the safety of my upper neighbors. If fire is a risk I might back up my HD somewhere far from my appartment block.

I don't think anyone will guarantee that your data will survive a serious fire.

Good to know... I'll see what I can do.

Hi, Your best solution would be an off site backup with something like an external hard drive. http://www.lacie.com/products/family.htm?id=10007 These are now small enough to sit in a pocket with capacities large enough to back up most computers. If you don't want the expense of one then a regular hard drive and a USB to IDE adapter would work the same with a standard IDE hard disk. http://maplin.co.uk/products/module.asp?CartID=030315115653768&moduleno=35057&modulecode= Allows your old hard disk to connect to a USB port. A US web site with the same device is here http://www.qvs.com/usb/usb2.asp Keep the backup hard drive off ste, at work or with a relation. Or invest in a fire safe and keep it in there except whilst in use. hth Ceri

Another problem, if the fire doesn't reach your computer, the sprinklers might and they can short out your motherboard if your computer is running.

yep. but then again if there is a fire in your apartment for whatever the reason your computer should be the least of your concerns. as far as backup data, the only REALLY safe place is to burn it on a CD and put the CD in a safety deposit box. -data stored on line is susceptible to hackers, less likely but with the newer Internet worms I have reservations. -data stored on anything in a fire will almost certainly be history no matter what it's written to. How about those little USB drives. they now come with a key chain loop. of course, loose your keys and.....

Thank you everyone. And I know my COMPUTER should be the least of my concerns, but it's really my DATA that I care the most about. My computer is easily replacable. In an extreme emergency if I didn't backed up anything, I will just try to remove my hard drive and take it with me. Neither the tower or the HD is attached on the rest of the computer, but I will follow RayMan's advice.