magnetism = bad ?

[EmperorNero]

well, we all know static's harmful to computer hardware...but is magnetism? for example, I have this screwdrive that has a magnetic tip...can I use it to screw the motherboard onto the case? and what if I accidently touched part of the motherboard?

 

[Haribo]

Put a big magnet close to your monitor, does the outcome look healthy

 

[certifyexpress]

It's really bad ... Even by rubbing your finger at the chip can also cause static discharge and decrease the life span of the chip. Be carefull.

 

[hubbs]

I use a magnetic tipped screwdrivers w/my computer operations. No problems yet. I've used it for every time I have opened my computer up. I'm kinda rough w/my computer parts but hey I'm still posting that's all that counts.

 

[EmperorNero]

I'm not talking about monitors, just internal computer components (motherboard, video card, sound card, etc)

 

[Mday]

can you say, "goodbye to all the data i have on my HDD, floppy disk, etc"

have fun.

maybe you should play with magnets around yours or your parents' credit cards too.

 

[RossGr]

There is no problem with a magnet near the motherboard. Even a strong magnet will not effect operation of a motherboard, unless, like any other piece of metal would do, you use it to short something.

Watch out for your harddrive, a good magnet in close proximity will shut you down instantly. ( Your magnetic tip screwdriver shouldn't be strong enough to erase it. But I would exercise catuion, experiment if you wish. Back up first.)

 

[kamiam]

at HP we used magnetic screwdrivers...you'll probably be alright

 

[Ulysses]

They may not do harm, but then maybe they could. I've always assumed they were bad, so I use non-magnetic tools (just regular metal ones) and a long tweezers to retrieve screws or what have you that I might drop in the case. I also saw an ingenious flexible plastic strip with holes or slots in it for holding small screws you're trying to attach, if your fingers are too big. With this stuff all I have to do is worry about static electricity, or about dropping some little metal thing inside the case and not being able to find it.

 

[thorin]

Yes computer components are magnetically sensative. However it would require a rather large magnet to cause any real damage. Considering that your HD, PC Speaker, and Modem all have magnets in them which are likely slightly larger then the magnet in a screw driver (I use magnetic screw drivers on my comps all the time), you're fine. I wouldn't wanna drop the magnet from a 10" speaker in there or anything like that though.

Thorin

 

[larrymoencurly]

I don't think any magnetic screwdriver is nearly as powerful as the head movement magnets inside the hard drive, and those magnets don't hurt the data or heads..

 

[Prodigy^]

as RossGr says it in http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.cfm?catid=27&threadid=190482:

"This was about 8yrs ago. I decided that the 2" case speaker on mighty 286 was way to cheesy. I stopped by Radio Shack and picked up a nice 4" with a big MAGNET. Opened the case and was looking for a good place to mount it, this while loading a game off the hard drive. For some reason I cannot remember I sat the new speaker down on the hard drive. For some reason the game ceased to load. This is a lesson on how to do a bulk erase on an HD."

 

[Quickfingerz]

You can always try it yourself. That would be good for a Junior hight science project or something. Using a powerful magnet and seeing if it will ruin computer parts.

Try this: get a really strong magnet. and while your harddrive is running place it right on top. Let me know what happens. I'd like to know.

 

[compuwiz1]

I use magnetically tipped screwdrivers all the time for computer assembly / dissassembly. Even on hard drives, I have no problem. I do not do any of this while the PC is powered up. I will add that a magnetically tipped screwdriver will corrupt the data on a floppy disk. I always make it a habit to keep them away from foppies and zips.

 

[SteelyKen]

When you start getting bored with putting magnets on your hard drive, try placing your tongue on the heatsink of an overclocked V3 3000 and tell us what happens....

 

[EmperorNero]

sure thing, steelyken. I'm gonna do it right now and I'll get back to ya.

 

[Spook]

Its fun to play with Magnets on the monitors... make those electons go in dircetions they were never ment to go...

As for the Magnets messing up Disks and Hard drives... Do you think that might be why its called Magnetic Media???

 

[warlord]

if you've got a degauss button on your monitor, put that magnet on it all you want.

I've seen monitors that come off of nuc powered ships from the navy, you want to talk about magnetic feilds! anyhow, they have these machines they use to degauss the screens once a month cause they get pretty messed up.