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Magnets on a cpu

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by srojas

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Hi, do magnets stuck on the side of a desktop pc cause problems? because we had a user that put magnets on the side of her desktop and she was having these locking up problems and she would get a line across the screen. We removed them and now it's working ok. Well so far only one day but it is safe to conclude that it was the magnets?

11 replies

by thechas

Magnets within 6 inches of a CRT display WILL distort the image.
The beam that lights up the image is directed by electromagnets in the yoke on the CRT.

In the old days, small magnets were used to align and focus the CRT beam so that it hit the phosphor on the CRT screen in the correct position.

Strong magnets on a PC case CAN cause problems for both the Hard drive and the floppy drive as both use magnetic media.

A strong enough magnet could even interfere with the fans in the PC. And could conceivably cause problems for the coils in the power supply.

So yes, magnets can cause problems for PCs and should be kept off of cases and a minimum of 6 inches from displays, drives and media.

Chas

by timwalsh

The short answer to your question is YES. the long (and admittedly sarcastic) answer follows:

Hmmm, magnets stuck to the side of a PC case - all the data needed for the computer to operate exists on MAGNETIC media (hard disks) inside the case - I'd say there is a correlation here. Be on the look out for corrupted data. BTW, one of the methods that can be used to erase data on a disk is to DEMAGNETIZE it.

Was the desktop also by chance sitting next to the monitor?

Monitors can be affected by fans and heaters (which use magnets in their motors), hi-power speakers (which are essentially large magnets, paper cones and some electronics), and hi-power electrical conduits (which give off strong electro-MAGNETIC fields). Again, I think it's safe to say that there is a correlation here. BTW, monitors themselves tend to give off strong electro-MAGNETIC fields, which is why you don't want to store floppies on tuop of you monitor.

by sgt_shultz

well i would really like to see this reproduced. ought to be easy enuf to put the magnets back and see the problem recur, yes? before i concluded anything. i have yet to see the famous 'magnet' problem on anything, anyway. but hey, i am only 50. most magnets not very powerful. plus inverse square law. you can see for yourself if they seem unusually strong. me, i'm skeptical. i would have tried removing them, THEN putting them back...

by stuart_at_oz

Have you ever pulled apart an old hard drive? I have - and inside I found one of the most POWERFUL magnets I have ever seen! It's great for holding great wads of bills/dockets/homework/junk to the fridge - the biggest problem is getting it OFF the fridge in the first place, as it's so damn strong you have to have strong fingers or use something to pry it off!

And that's not even the read heads, it's actually part of the mechanism that moves the read heads.

Having said that though, these magnets are encased in non-magnetic shielding (ie. the HDD case)that stop the magnetism affecting the surrounding circuitry. Looking at an old HDD on my desk, it's encased in aluminium which does not 'conduct' magnetism easily. (or at least according to my memory of science lessons 20 years ago...)

The typical PC case is steel (it would have to be for the magnet to stick!) which DOES 'conduct' magnetism.

You should also note that ALL functions of a computer rely on small electrical curents through the circuits - and magnetic fields can affect wiring and circuits.

Do the experiment that someone suggested above - stick the magnets back on and see if the problem comes back!

(Folks, feel free to correct me if my memory has played me false with the stuff above!)

Stu

by fred07

Hi

First a little elec info: on a one million volt line the mag field extends 10 feet to shock ground. ie: you get within that 10 feet and you are well grounded you are toast.

on a 3 volt line the mag field is small and is easily corrupted by any large non shielded line.

Yes the HD's are mag motor run. However if you really wish to screw one up just take those very powerful mags out of one and lay them on one that is in operation, Next step is to go purchase a new HD and start from scratch with all your data.

The stronger the magnet, The more the damage that can be done.

Alot of weak mags makes a strong mag field.

fred

by fred07

Hi

Start with the cards and make sure they are properly seated as well as the ram.

If continues, unplug the cdrom and listen carefully to the fans before and after. I have had several cd-roms strt using to much power and freeze the pc.

Next would be the floppy and then the power supply and do not forget to check the cpu fan as a temperature problem will also make a pc freeze.

fred

by srojas

Hi everyone, well today the pc locked up without the magnets! darn. It just locks up, no error message and ctrl + alt + del doesn't work. Probably, the memory huh?

by tech_wiz03

Had the same problem with one of my customers a few years back. A magnet of any size can interfer with and damage data if it's placement is just right!

Rule #1: Magnets are a No! No! with-in 1 mile of a computer room (excert from opperators guide book on mainframes 1969)

Rule #2: Due to the sensitive nature of data in this complex all employee's may be required to be checked for static carrying clothing like silk panties, nylons, silk shirts etc. (excert from same guide book)

While computers have become much more stable since this era, it is reasonable to avoid any possible threat of damage once it's brought to your attention.

Regards
rick

by srojas

The cpu fan was broken! I'm going to replace it today also changed the video card. Thank you for all your replies!

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