Is Your Computer a Fire Hazard Waiting to Happen?

whoppers asks: "I'm sure we've all had our share of computer fans die, but what happens if your box is running while you're at work and several fans go out? My in-laws spare TigerPC AMD K62-400's power supply fan just went out about two hours ago, and the thing was blazing hot. A little poke to the blade, and it started up again, but shouldn't these things be made to stop if the fan stops for any reason? I'm starting to wonder if I should start leaving my box off when I'm away for a few hours. Since it's usually wide open, I don't see too much harm, but these cheap boxes that never get opened and cleaned have to be a hazard right? I can't afford a halon system in my office just yet. The only link I found related to this is here and should a few more people read this, here's the cached version. Does anyone have any thoughts or stories related to this?" The fact that this article appears on July 4th, when most Americans will be lighting fireworks is purely coincidental. That doesn't change the fact that the submittor raises a very good point. A general rule of computers is: the older they get, the more dusty they are and dust bunnies and their denser cousins are highly flammable. Unless you can keep such machines clean, it' is probably safer to leave them off.

Hmmm

[shr3k]

The only link I found related to this is here and should a few more people read this, here's the cached version.

A link to the cached version? Come on, this is Slashdot. What's the worst that could happen?

So what???

[josh crawley]

Yeah, old comps do get dusty inside. However, even if the fan quits, it's still not a problem. That bit of dust is flammible, but the metal aint. There's a fireproof box around those bunnies. ANd once it smolders some, it'll burn out most of the O2 (since the fans dont pump air cause of dust). There goes your "fire hazard"

The only thing is it's a boring news day.

My CPU Fan is on my Left. My CPU, on my right.

[Anaplexian]

If I had a webcam, I'd post a link to a photo.

I'm running Win 98 on a Cyrix M2 233MHz overclocked to 300MHz (came when I bought it).

I paid 2500 rupees for the processor, [ 1 US$ = 48 Rupees - do your math], and thus don't really care much about it. :)

Anyway, it's 40 degrees here in Delhi, I don't have an AC, and my CPU Fan's bust for *over a week*. And it's happened several times before.

What do I do? I take off the Hood, Put my ceiling fan to "Maximum" and keep on Photoshopping.

I'm a comp Sc student, and I know what I'm doing is insane.

but, Hey, As long as it's running, Who cares?

A good point though

[dalassa]

Even if the computer never over heats dust and oils and other icks can still kill a computer. I once was trying to fix a women's computer that had stopped. I opened up the case and the entire motherboard was covered in oil and fur. Turned out she let her cat sleep on it all the time and never cleaned it. All that direct exposure to animal bits just killed it. She had to buy a new computer.

I now religiously check the dust levels of my computers.

How to set fire to your computer.

[Target Drone]

The illustrated guide to breaking your computer [aol.com] shows you the correct and incorrect way to light your computer on fire.

Re:It's happened to me..

[macdaddy357]

Dust is potentially flammable, and it's also conductive, which could makr a circuit where there isn't suuposed to be one, but your computer will definately catch on fire if you are infected with Monkeypoo.

VIRUS WARNING:

Attention: Computer Labs Inc., makers of Virucide antivirus software have identified a highly dangerous new Trojan worm, MONKEYPOO. It will usually appear in an e-mail with the subject, "Congratulations.You have won!" it will then prompt you to click a link to collect your cash prize. It can also freely spread across networks.

Monkeypoo will read your address book, and mail a copy of itself to every address it finds, and it will look like you sent it. It will then invoke the secret self-destruct command held over from the original IBM PC's 8086 command set. This short line of code will cause the processor, ram, hard drive and any floppy drives to spin out of control and overheat until key components melt together, and will most likely cause a fire.

James Winklee, a former IBM programmer had this to say. "We developed the self-destruct code so government agencies such as the FBI and CIA could quickly and completely destroy compromised computer systems before an enemy could get their hands on classified information. When we saw how violently a PC executing the command burst into flames, we decides not to publish it's existence. It has been kept a secret successfully until now. If you get infected with the Monkeypoo Trojan worm, you may notice your computer going completely haywire. Physically unplug it from power as fast as you can, and send it in for repair. Only a professional can remove this one."

While Computer Labs Inc and other antivirus software makers are working on a solution, they haven't got one a home user could successfully run yet. "This is the worst kind of malicious code I have ever seen." said Marcus Polan of Computer labs Inc. Use extreme caution.

It is important that as many computer users as possible receive this warning, so send it out to as many people as you can. The entire Internet and every PC connected to it is at risk.

Re:Hmmm

[codeguy007]

Slashdot slashdot's itself all the time by refering to old articles.

Re:Danger with Old PCs

[JabberWokky]

Good thing wd-40 ISN'T a lubricant. It's a cleaner. after using this apply the real lubricant.

You're both wrong. It's a water displacement formula. Specifically, it's Water Displacement formula number 40. It's very good for many applications, especially dealing with and protecting metal parts subject to rusting.

Functionally, it works as a lubricant fairly nicely. Also as a cleaner. It also kills ants, and, with a lighter held in front of it, is a fun party tool. It may not be the best at any of these, but it functions pretty well as a general purpose tool - I keep a small can in my toolbox, and usually have a large one around. For parties.

--
Evan

Forgot a choice

[Peale]

( ) Coyboy Neal poured gasoline on it

Re:Actually, yes

[CrystalFalcon]

I wasn't saying there was danger, that would be interpreting the numbers you asked for. If you want to go hunting for fire hazards, my first three steps would be installing a smoke detector, a fire extinguisher, and reviewing the home insurance policy.

Actually, the fire safety training I mentioned was quite amusing in that regard. The fire officer leading the training asked for a show of hands how many had smoke detectors in their house; almost everybody had. His follow-up question was how many had fire extinguishers. Almost nobody.

"Oh, excellent!" he said. "So, you wake up in the middle of the night from the smoke alarm you've installed. You know there's a fire in your house. However, you have no extinguisher! So now you do... what?" :-)