I thought a $40 protector was good enough. When my lights flicker ever so slightly, not even enough to cause my clocks or my TV to go off, my computer shuts down and I get that dreaded message telling me my computer did not shut down properly. Seems to me the potector isn't any good. I figure I could be wrong though. Maybe a surge is something different? Any thoughts ?

To my knowledge a surge is the opposite of what you are describing (flash brown out?). I think you need a powered backup to keep your computer from being affected when the power crashes like that. As surge protector keeps your machine from getting fried when more power comes through than is supposed to.

Thanks Adam, You thoughts make sense. Something I hadn't thought about.

Yep, surge protectors will protect from high voltages, but brownouts require something like a UPS. APC is a good vendor of such equipment. p

Thanks Pickle

Yes - get a UPS. Basically a UPS uses your line current to continuously recharge a battery. You run your computer off the battery. Surges/spikes don't get through to your computer, and you are buffered against brownouts/blackouts - at least for a few minutes. APC makes good product. Price goes up depending on how many minutes of battery life you get - you really only need a few to save your work and shut down when there is a real blackout. Surge protectors often don't break the circuit fast enough if there is a spike/surge - so your computer may see the upstroke and get damaged anyway.