Would you say that the monitor is the most dangerous part of a computer?

[pg22]

And why?

 

[loogie]

You have obviously never had an encounter with a case/cpu fan.

 

[rc5]

I would say it's the OS.

Well, since this is a hardware forum, PowerSupply is probably the most dangerous one.

 

[Windogg]

Physically, its dangerous. Open up a monitor and touch the high voltage anode to confirm how dangerous it is. BTW, call 911 first to make sure they are there to defib you.

Windogg

 

[beat mania]

But is it any more dangerous than if you open up the PS and short one of those caps?

 

[Rigoletto]

I changed my cpu once forgetting that I had not turned off the computer at the mains or power supply and I am not sure if I am truly still alive yet. Will someone pinch me please?

 

[NaughtyusMaximus]

I would vote for the Power Supply.

For physical damage to us, PS is definetly the worst (its a lot easier to get into one of these than a monitor).
For damage to an actualy computer system, I would also vote for PS.

 

[medic]

The flyback or Line output transformer (LOT) in a typical monitor can output 10,000 to 40,000 plus Volts DC...far more than enough to kill.

 

[Windogg]

For overall danger I would still have to vote for the chunk of meat behind the keyboard.

 

[The Wildcard]

Yeah, i think 40,000 volts outta do you for good.

 

[superbaby]

Monitor is dangerous when you have to move it. If you have 19-21" monitors you know what I'm talking about.

Those things are soooooooooooooooooooooo heavy and if you slip you are gonna die carrying that thing. It's not just the weight, it's the size! However the PS gets my vote as most dangerous equipment in a PC if you fiddle with it the wrong way.

 

[Soccer55]

I vote for carrying a 19" monitor too. My current college roommate broke his ankle our freshman year when he slipped while carrying his monitor up to his room after winter break. He managed to save the monitor though.....hehe

-Tom

 

[Neos]

Has anyone else seen the movie 'Final Destination'? It just shows that monitors and Vodka .....never!
Neos

 

[Mark R]

Monitors are pretty dangerous. Let's see what potential dangers lurk within:

30,000 volt EHT supply on the tube anode backed up with some modest capacitors. This one kills you quickly.
Large vacuum filled glass tube - just waiting to implode
Extremely hot tube heater within an enclosed space

PSU is considerably less dangerous:

Sure when plugged in and open, you've got exposed 240/120 volts. You'd be foolish to prod around in that case.
When unplugged some charge is stored in the caps, but if physically unplugged it is unlikely to kill you - maybe burn prying fingers, but unlikely to do much more.

 

[apoppin]

I'll have to agree with Windogg - the user/abuser is the most dangerous part of a computer.

Inherently, a computer is not dangerous if operated properly. Only when someone does something extremely foolish (try setting a monitor on the edge of the tub while bathing) or without precautions or sufficient knowledge can it become dangerous.

 

[pg22]

Why the heck does a monitor need 30,000-40,000 volts for?!?!!?!?

 

[PCAddict]

It's a toss-up between the monitor and the power supply.

 

[Mark R]

A monitor needs 30,000 volts to accelerate electons within the picture tube.

At the back of the tube, is a hot filament (not as hot as a light bulb, but hot enough to glow). The heat causes electrons to 'evaporate' off the filament, where the form a cloud around the filament.

Because electrons are negatively charged, and because opposite electrical potentials attract, a positive voltage (compared to the voltage at the filament) will attract the electrons. In a picture tube, the positive electrode is about half-way along the tube.

By applying a high voltage to this electrode, electrons will be attracted towards it, and start accelerating towards the front of the screen. The electrode is arranged in such a way that the electrons don't actually hit it, but carry on straight past it, so that they smash into the front of the tube. The front of the tube is coated in phosphors, which will glow when hit by the electrons.

 

[Heretik]

....not the voltage that gets you anyway, gotta watch out for the current. I'd say monitor cuz that sucker can hold a full charge for years...

 

[corkyg]

Based on the experience of dealing with personal computers for the past 19 years, I would say that the most dangerous component of any computer is the user.

 

[urbantechie]

<< Only when someone does something extremely foolish (try setting a monitor on the edge of the tub while bathing >>


LOL! I can see that now.

&quot;Oh wow!!! I've never seen this page, what is it called Anandtech? MOM!!! JANE FELL OFF THE TABLE!! Oh my god!!!! I'm comming!! Oh no!! Monitor cord!! SPLASH!!! SHOCK!!! Owwwwwwwww!!!!!!! Mom?

 

[jinsonxu]

Because electrons are negatively charged, and because opposite electrical potentials attract, a positive voltage (compared to the voltage at the filament) will attract the electrons. In a picture tube, the positive electrode is about half-way along the tube.

Ahh, Thermonic Emmisions and CRT. I've gotta study Physics now...

 

[JellyBaby]

You're all wrong! The most dangerous parts are the cables. These damn things sneak up on your feet when they're unware and if you compute near a flight of stairs it's asta la vista PC user.

 

[Neos]

I gotta ask. Did anyone see Final Destination ...but me?
The monitor is definitly the most dangerous.
Neos

 

[rc5]

Voltage doesn't kill people. It's the current.
Even though a CRT may contain 40,000 volts, it can't maintain more than a few mA current. So you won't die just for touching the high volt supply in CRT. It could be another story if you touched some high voltaged capactor though.