iSight magnet is teh suck 34
We picked up an iSight for those of us in the office who have older powerbooks without a builtin webcam… and I was playing with the magnet that came with it and somehow didn’t think twice about setting it down on my laptop… loud noise… 2 seconds later…. black screen!
...yeah… I lost a hard drive.
Fun times. :-)
UPDATE
...the magnet is now in the garbage. TAKE THAT!
UPDATE #2
I’m not the only person that this happened to…
- Magnet madness to hit Intel iBook line
- iSights, magnets, powerbooks
- Shocked and horrified
- magnet and hard disk=
It’s interesting to hear so many people say, “It takes a really powerful magnet to destroy a hard drive. I doubt that happend in your case. That magnet is not strong enough.”
...perhaps it is.
Enjoying the content? Be sure to subscribe to my RSS feed.
Ouch… That sucks. You’d think they’d shield hard drives now or something.
OUCH. Condolences.
I didn’t think you could affect a HD to that degree with a magnet. Guess you showed them. ouch
http://www.pcworld.com/article/116572-1/article.html
“A magnet powerful enough to disturb the electrons in flash would be powerful enough to suck the iron out of your blood cells,” says Frank. The same goes for hard drives.
=====
“In the real world, people are not losing data from magnets,” says Bill Rudock, a tech-support engineer with hard-drive maker Seagate.
Despite all the assurances from people that computers and HD’s are shielded, I still treat magnets as evil around the computer.
Why didn’t you use the notebook mount that it comes with? The magnetic mount is meant for the cinema displays.
Matthew…. I said that I was playing with the magnet... as people often do with things that are neat. I was using the notebook mount… but the magnet just intrigued me and I felt like a kid… and now I have a dead hard drive. ;-)
Sorry to say that, but… Pwn3d !
(condoleances for your HD)
Yep, magnets will do that to a hard drive.
The magnet probably didn’t affect the bits on the platter. If that were the case, the drive would likely just have data damage but wouldn’t be dead. Given the loud noise, my first guess would be that the Big Honkin’ Magnet deformed one of the drive arms and the drive head augered into the platter as a result. No fun, that!
This is really weird, cuz HD’s do come with very powerful magnets right next to the platter, that is what powers the arm assembly. The powerbook HD’s must have an aluminum enclosure.. even then its odd.
I just fixed my old 500 mhz ibook a month ago and there are at least two magnets embedded in the ibooks. and I was playing around with a fairly powerful magnet trying to find the embedded magnets on my ibook. I guess I just was lucky.
you can also find where they are by running a quarter or any iron/nickel coin on the sids of the ibook. The magnet that controlls the screen sleep functions is embedde in the lower right corner if my G4 ibook and is strong enough to hold a quarter coin.
good to know.
I can only laugh. WOW OMG LOLZ!!! In the words of Eazy E—“ya shoulda known better”.
Do people really still say “teh suck” in 2006? OMG LOL
Doooood, I did exactly the same thing. Is it just me or is it slightly ridiculous to supply a magnet with the iSight in the first place? I mean not all of us know the in’s and out’s of a friggin hard-drive!
cinema displays do not have hard drives. that’s what that part was intended for.
Hey, sell me your magnetic mount. I lost mine and could really use a replacement.
wtf! i came with this page coz i have same problem with my hard drive. icant reformat it either.. i tried chkdsk but still unrecoverable.. the last thing that happened is i put a magnet at the Function (Fn) keyboard on my laptop for a couple of minutes. Then the the whole system crashes up! im tired of this piece of shit! it just happened yesterday!
wtf! i came with this page coz i have same problem with my hard drive. icant reformat it either.. i tried chkdsk but still unrecoverable.. the last thing that happened is i put a magnet at the Function (Fn) keyboard on my laptop for a couple of minutes. Then the the whole system crashes up! im tired of this piece of shit! it just happened yesterday!
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303949
Hey Robby, sorry to hear of the misfortune. I’ve got the opposite problem: I bought an iSight before they came with the magnets, and I could really use one with my 23” ACD. I’ll buy yours if it didn’t actually go out with the trash!
A couple of weeks ago, the same Apple iSight magnet totally damaged the hard disk on my PowerBook G4. I just can’t believe it was a pure coincidence that the hard disck underwent failure just at the moment the magnet was around. After having seen numerous similar cases on the Net, the myth that “magnet can do no harm” should be bashed once and for all!!! Why can’t they stop lying about that?
I invite those who ever suffered the same damage to thier hard disk caused by iSight magnet to come to sign in their name or email me: zhouhy2008@gmail.com
I am pissed. I was playing with a few “rattle” magnets and I accidently dropped one on my MacBook. Next thing you know its my screens black and it can’t get it to boot up. It’ll only stay at the gray screen. Only a gray screen…
They don’t have any warning about no maganets near the hard drive. Ill use that against them.
Dear David,
Has your problem solved? I hope your hard disk has not been crashed totally, which is unfortunately my case.
I agree with you. Strong magnet like that should NEVER be there! What’s more, the fact that the warning is not sufficient is Apple’s negligence. I contacted Apple and was told over and over again that “it is impossible that magnet can cause problem as such”. I just CANNOT agree! And I am disappointed by their attitude. I wonder if we may exchange further to discuss further possibilities in this regard. My email address is: zhouhy2008@gmail.com. Any news from you is highly welcomed!
if anyone has an isight magnet mount that they dont need please contact me atifateeq@gmail.com i will pay for it
thank you
Dear sir or madam This is fairy,from Ningbo Hengsheng Hardware & Plastic factory.Nice to contact you. Hengsheng is a professional manufacturer of magnetic products.It products including magnetic name badges,magnetic sticks,magnetic dartboards,magnetic eggs…Ningbo Hengsheng are going to provide products with High quality, Best price and Qualified service since now.
As a Manufacturer & Exporter, Hengsheng Located at Ningbo city, We have facility on the export transportation by sea.
R&D and Sales of Hengsheng will assure you that regardless of what your specific requirements may be, service will earn your trust, your respect, and your continuing component.
Mission of Hengsheng, is to be a growth oriented, world class provider of quality products and service designed to satisfy the demanding requirements of our customers, consistent with an acceptable return to ensure an “best” future for our customers.
Just contact us for the best future cooperation. Contact Details Company Name: Ningbo Hengsheng Hardware & Plastic Factory Company Address: No.38 Huangshu East Road,Hongshu Industrial Park,Dongqiang Lake Town,Ningbo, Zhejiang, China Tel: 86-0574-88366682 Fax: 86-0574-88366681 Website: www.nb-hengsheng.com
Contact person: Miss fairy zhou
Dear sir or madam This is fairy,from Ningbo Hengsheng Hardware & Plastic factory.Nice to contact you. Hengsheng is a professional manufacturer of magnetic products.It products including magnetic name badges,magnetic sticks,magnetic dartboards,magnetic eggs…Ningbo Hengsheng are going to provide products with High quality, Best price and Qualified service since now.
As a Manufacturer & Exporter, Hengsheng Located at Ningbo city, We have facility on the export transportation by sea.
R&D and Sales of Hengsheng will assure you that regardless of what your specific requirements may be, service will earn your trust, your respect, and your continuing component.
Mission of Hengsheng, is to be a growth oriented, world class provider of quality products and service designed to satisfy the demanding requirements of our customers, consistent with an acceptable return to ensure an “best” future for our customers.
Just contact us for the best future cooperation. Contact Details Company Name: Ningbo Hengsheng Hardware & Plastic Factory Company Address: No.38 Huangshu East Road,Hongshu Industrial Park,Dongqiang Lake Town,Ningbo, Zhejiang, China Tel: 86-0574-88366682 Fax: 86-0574-88366681 Website: www.nb-hengsheng.com
Contact person: Miss fairy zhou
Dear sir or madam This is fairy,from Ningbo Hengsheng Hardware & Plastic factory.Nice to contact you. Hengsheng is a professional manufacturer of magnetic products.It products including magnetic name badges,magnetic sticks,magnetic dartboards,magnetic eggs…Ningbo Hengsheng are going to provide products with High quality, Best price and Qualified service since now.
As a Manufacturer & Exporter, Hengsheng Located at Ningbo city, We have facility on the export transportation by sea.
R&D and Sales of Hengsheng will assure you that regardless of what your specific requirements may be, service will earn your trust, your respect, and your continuing component.
Mission of Hengsheng, is to be a growth oriented, world class provider of quality products and service designed to satisfy the demanding requirements of our customers, consistent with an acceptable return to ensure an “best” future for our customers.
Just contact us for the best future cooperation. Contact Details Company Name: Ningbo Hengsheng Hardware & Plastic Factory Company Address: No.38 Huangshu East Road,Hongshu Industrial Park,Dongqiang Lake Town,Ningbo, Zhejiang, China Tel: 86-0574-88366682 Fax: 86-0574-88366681 Website: www.nb-hengsheng.com
Contact person: Miss fairy zhou
Dear sir or madam This is fairy,from Ningbo Hengsheng Hardware & Plastic factory.Nice to contact you. Hengsheng is a professional manufacturer of magnetic products.It products including magnetic name badges,magnetic sticks,magnetic dartboards,magnetic eggs…Ningbo Hengsheng are going to provide products with High quality, Best price and Qualified service since now.
As a Manufacturer & Exporter, Hengsheng Located at Ningbo city, We have facility on the export transportation by sea.
R&D and Sales of Hengsheng will assure you that regardless of what your specific requirements may be, service will earn your trust, your respect, and your continuing component.
Mission of Hengsheng, is to be a growth oriented, world class provider of quality products and service designed to satisfy the demanding requirements of our customers, consistent with an acceptable return to ensure an “best” future for our customers.
Just contact us for the best future cooperation. Contact Details Company Name: Ningbo Hengsheng Hardware & Plastic Factory Company Address: No.38 Huangshu East Road,Hongshu Industrial Park,Dongqiang Lake Town,Ningbo, Zhejiang, China Tel: 86-0574-88366682 Fax: 86-0574-88366681 Website: www.nb-hengsheng.com
Contact person: Miss fairy zhou
Dear sir or madam This is fairy,from Ningbo Hengsheng Hardware & Plastic factory.Nice to contact you. Hengsheng is a professional manufacturer of magnetic products,it including magnetic name badge,magnetic sticks,magnetic tools,magnetic dartboard….Ningbo Hengsheng are going to provide products with High quality, Best price and Qualified service since now.
As a Manufacturer & Exporter, Hengsheng Located at Ningbo city, We have facility on the export transportation by sea.
R&D and Sales of Hengsheng will assure you that regardless of what your specific requirements may be, service will earn your trust, your respect, and your continuing component.
Mission of Hengsheng, is to be a growth oriented, world class provider of quality products and service designed to satisfy the demanding requirements of our customers, consistent with an acceptable return to ensure an “best” future for our customers.
Just contact us for the best future cooperation. Contact Details Company Name: Ningbo Hengsheng Hardware & Plastic Factory Company Address: No.38 Huangshu East Road,Hongshu Industrial Park,Dongqiang Lake Town,Ningbo, Zhejiang, China Tel: 86-0574-88366682 Fax: 86-0574-88366681 Website: www.nb-hengsheng.com
Contact person: Miss fairy zhou
Dear sir or madam This is fairy,from Ningbo Hengsheng Hardware & Plastic factory.Nice to contact you. Hengsheng is a professional manufacturer of magnetic products,it including magnetic name badge,magnetic sticks,magnetic tools,magnetic dartboard….Ningbo Hengsheng are going to provide products with High quality, Best price and Qualified service since now.
As a Manufacturer & Exporter, Hengsheng Located at Ningbo city, We have facility on the export transportation by sea.
R&D and Sales of Hengsheng will assure you that regardless of what your specific requirements may be, service will earn your trust, your respect, and your continuing component.
Mission of Hengsheng, is to be a growth oriented, world class provider of quality products and service designed to satisfy the demanding requirements of our customers, consistent with an acceptable return to ensure an “best” future for our customers.
Just contact us for the best future cooperation. Contact Details Company Name: Ningbo Hengsheng Hardware & Plastic Factory Company Address: No.38 Huangshu East Road,Hongshu Industrial Park,Dongqiang Lake Town,Ningbo, Zhejiang, China Tel: 86-0574-88366682 Fax: 86-0574-88366681 Website: www.nb-hengsheng.com
Contact person: Miss fairy zhou
Dear sir or madam This is fairy,from Ningbo Hengsheng Hardware & Plastic factory.Nice to contact you. Hengsheng is a professional manufacturer of magnetic products,it including magnetic name badge,magnetic sticks,magnetic tools,magnetic dartboard….Ningbo Hengsheng are going to provide products with High quality, Best price and Qualified service since now.
As a Manufacturer & Exporter, Hengsheng Located at Ningbo city, We have facility on the export transportation by sea.
R&D and Sales of Hengsheng will assure you that regardless of what your specific requirements may be, service will earn your trust, your respect, and your continuing component.
Mission of Hengsheng, is to be a growth oriented, world class provider of quality products and service designed to satisfy the demanding requirements of our customers, consistent with an acceptable return to ensure an “best” future for our customers.
Just contact us for the best future cooperation. Contact Details Company Name: Ningbo Hengsheng Hardware & Plastic Factory Company Address: No.38 Huangshu East Road,Hongshu Industrial Park,Dongqiang Lake Town,Ningbo, Zhejiang, China Tel: 86-0574-88366682 Fax: 86-0574-88366681 Website: www.nb-hengsheng.com
Contact person: Miss fairy zhou
YES! This happened to me to. I was “playing” with the magnet and dropped it and it went right onto the spot right above my Powerbook hard drive and made a brief but loud WHIRR and then everything stopped. The HD completely crashed.
Thank GOD my Powerbook was under warranty. I took it to the Apple store and never told them about the magnet. Just told them my computer crashed. I got a new drive, came home and threw the magnet as far as I could into Puget Sound.
YES! This happened to me to. I was “playing” with the magnet and dropped it and it went right onto the spot right above my Powerbook hard drive and made a brief but loud WHIRR and then everything stopped. The HD completely crashed.
Thank GOD my Powerbook was under warranty. I took it to the Apple store and never told them about the magnet. Just told them my computer crashed. I got a new drive, came home and threw the magnet as far as I could into Puget Sound.
JC, Thanks for communicating. Lucky you that you had warranty. Without warranty, the story would have been very different, like what happened to me. Anyway, I am glad that you had your problem solved, except your lost data, I suppose…
JC, Thanks for communicating. Lucky you that you had warranty. Without warranty, the story would have been very different, like what happened to me. Anyway, I am glad that you had your problem solved, except your lost data, I suppose…
JC, Thanks for communicating. Lucky you that you had warranty. Without warranty, the story would have been very different, like what happened to me. Anyway, I am glad that you had your problem solved, except your lost data, I suppose…