steve - 8:16 am on Apr 6, 2005 (gmt 0)

If it was due to power surges, wouldn't it have blasted my external modem first?

Modems tend to be killed by surges through the phone line, lightening strikes etc.

I do also live in the shadow of a Microwave pylon 50 metres away. Could that have anything to do with it.

No, but it's probably not doing your health much good!

I do have a fuse protector, but no surge protector

A surge protector is always a good idea, but you pay for what you get. I like Belkin ones, they guarantee to replace damaged hardware if the protector fails, their better ones even have a connection for the phone line.