[X4U] Do computers "microwave" themselves?

[B. Kuestner]

Never heart of microwaving.

- Randy mentioned heat-cycling, which can cause hairline cracks

- electrolytic condensators have a fixed life-span, and producers can  
cut costs by putting in cheaper condensators, whose expected life-time  
is relatively short. This is a common problem of cheap PC power  
supplies.

- other parts like backlights, batteries, flash memory, ... are  
subject to different degradation processes

- mechanical parts like keyboards, optical or hard drives are subject  
to degradation

- a relatively new phenomenon that has come with ever shrinking IC  
structure sizes: within the CPUs the current of electrons actually  
tear of the structure of the IC, much like a river washes out its bed.

- softening agents evaporate and leave components brittle

- dirt and dust creeps in creating a film with unintended side effects  
on various components

There are probably more effects.

Björn