Zinc Whiskers Cripple Colorado's Computers

Mr. Christmas Lights writes "While zinc whiskers, small metallic fibers which grow on surfaces that have been electroplated with zinc, aren't a problem for Christmas lights, they can cause serious problems for computers. The Denver Post reports how they caused computer outages for the last three weeks in the Colorado secretary of state's office. This basically halted business and elections document filings. Zinc whiskers are becoming more of a problem as computers electronics get smaller. NASA has a good reference site which includes a interesting PDF summary paper complete with pictures. /.'ers with computer rooms might want to check this out."

Comments

Absolutely no way

[NigritudeUltramarine]

I read the article, and I call bullshit. And FUD.

There is nothing special or unique about the computers in that particular office.

It's just a completely normal office. They are blaming their computer problems on some esoteric, invented problem rather than what's really causing them.

The person they interviewed, from Data Clean, specializes in building "clean rooms." Never in the history of computers have we needed a clean room to operate a computer. Obviously Rich Hill just wants some extra contract work.

Re:Absolutely no way

[Kevin Burtch]

I notice the article does not mention what operating system they are running.

My bet is it's a recent Microsoft virus/worm hit and they're too embarrassed to admit it (or stupid to realize they're being conned by a cleaning company).

See my other posting as to why it can't be these whiskers.