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#21
Surge protectors have a varistor disk that clamps the voltage a at a certain level (~190V). They have a capacity to absorb a limit amount or energy ( in Joules) and then they enter on a short circuit an blow the fuse.
So I don't think that the local computer geek is right.
Open the surge protector to see if the varistor disks are in good shape (no burns or explosions). If they are still in good shape, I would say that they are still active (and doing it's job).