Will you be saying that when your house burns down or you get electrocuted in your shower? Just because something hasn't happened in 8 years doesn't mean it won't or can't. So you might think to yourself, "Why should I listen to her? I've been fine all this time and she's not an expert anyway." Well if you won't take my advice then listen to the fire department and registered electricians - get your house grounded! Here in New Zealand, it's illegal to build a house ungrounded and with good reason - IT'S DANGEROUS!

STOP RIGHT THERE

Do NOT use a computer without a grounded outlet.

I would recommend that before you buy a computer get an electrician in there and update your electrical equipment.

The main reason is a power surge. It may not sound that bad but especially in a place with older electrical equipment it can be dangerous. Not only to a computer but to any electrical equipment. It can supply to much power to it and short it out.

If you were to have a power surge without a grounded outlet where is the power going to go? To the board and all other parts of the computer and it will most likely be 100% shot without a single salvageable part.

You wouldnt wanna loose a priced possesion like a computer within a twinkle of an eye. I recomend you go and have the electrical outlets in your room grounded just to be on the safe side.

You never can tell.

If your home experiences a power surge, and your equipment isn't grounded, then your computer will short out (or fry in other words). Having a ground gives the excess electricity a place to go, other than through a shorted circuit.

Having a surge protector and a grounded line each accomplish their own thing, but work together. Your computer has a ground of its own if it is connected to to a grounded outlet, but the surge protector keeps the surge from reaching your computer.

Keep in mind that cheapo surge protectors don't do as good of a job at absorbing surges, so go with a good brand like Belkin or APC.

you should always have eletronics grounded otherwise you become the ground (aka shocked)

Grounding the electrical outlets gives the electricity a safe place to go when something goes wrong. If your stuff isn't grounded, then you run the risk of frying your equipment. And if things go TERRIBLY wrong, you can fry your house too.

Grounding an ungrounded outlet is fairly straightforward and easy to do. An electrician can get the job done in just a few minutes. I can't tell you how much it'll cost, because I don't live where you live. Not even in the same state. Whatever you pay the electrician is worth the investment because you'll be able to relax knowing that a power surge or other mishap won't destroy your computer, your house, et cetera.