Can a computer freeze?

[Guaranteed]

I mean, literally.

I leave the window open in our computer room, because it's a smoking room. But's it got to be 15 or 20 degrees F outside, and it's damned cold in here.

Anyone have experience with frozen computers?

[Broken Acorn]

1. Not personally, but yes they can freeze

Each computer has different specs, but the circuitry will freeze when it gets in the range of 22-35 degrees F.

[Guaranteed]

3. Sounds like I better close the ole windows, then, eh? nt

[NYC]

4. Keep it out of the direct line of the breeze.

[ET Awful]

12. Nonsense.

Circuitry will NOT freeze. I personally use phase change cooling, and my CPU hovers at -21 CELSIUS. (don't believe me? Simply pay a visit to www.vapochill.com :))

I previously routed an AC vent directly through the computer case (case temp was at 32 due to this), no issues at all.

No, circuitry will NOT freeze. The only thing that has a potential to freeze is moving parts such as hard drive heads and platters, or optical drives, etc. Absent liquid, these will not freeze either.

The only real risk is condensation, which really wouldn't be a problem in the situation you're describing. (Of course, if you were to close the window and crank up the heat afterwards, condensation would be likely to occur as the surfaces heated up).

[iconoclastic cat]

14. ET-- the vapochill link is broken

[ET Awful]

15. Works from here.

That's odd.

Try using http://www.asetek.com/ instead. Same site, just a redirect.

[iconoclastic cat]

19. Curiouser

Here is what I'm seeing on both of those pages:

The page cannot be displayed
There is a problem with the page you are trying to reach and it cannot be displayed.

Please try the following:

* Click the Refresh button, or try again later.
* Open the www.asetek.com home page, and then look for links to the information you want.

HTTP 500.100 - Internal Server Error - ASP error
Internet Information Services

Technical Information (for support personnel)

* Error Type:
Microsoft VBScript runtime (0x800A000D)
Type mismatch: 'cint'
/browserInclude.asp, line 45

* Browser Type:
Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.4) Gecko/20030624 Netscape/7.1 (ax)

* Page:
GET /default.asp

* Time:
20. december 2004, 16:33:38

[ET Awful]

20. Hmmmm, what browser are you using?

Only things I can think of is if your firewall is blocking it, or if it's a browser incompatibility.

[iconoclastic cat]

21. Ah, the firewall!

Yeah, I have my tweaked-out Belkin router bolted down pretty tightly. That, and I have Netscape's security settings cranked all the way to "Nixon."

[iconoclastic cat]

23. I was able to open it with IE. Ick.

Get it off me! Get it off me!

Hey, where are the cats?

[ET Awful]

24. DU must be blocking sigs again :(

You can see the kitties on my website though at gallery.etawful.com

[Danger Duck]

22. Question?

Why do you hate your computer so much? Quit torturing it, and resume downloading inter-species porn like a normal person.

[ET Awful]

25. My computer is running a 1.4 ghz processor at 2.5 ghz and

not even breaking a sweat :)

[Danger Duck]

27. You're a

cruel mistress, but your computer sounds like a better person for it.

[ET Awful]

28. That's master, not mistress, and my computer is well disciplined :) n/t

[Danger Duck]

29. Sorry Sir.

[burrowowl]

2. They can freeze

but they generally like to be colder than we do.
Old computer rooms were kept at a chilly 55 F, people wore sweaters.
Check the operating specs.

[Kurovski]

5. Smoke's bad for computers, too.

And, well--you know the rest.

[huellewig]

6. Getting rid of all Windows on or around your computer can help..

prevent freezes.

But really, I can't imagine any damage being done from that temp.

check out:
http://www20.tomshardware.com/cpu/20031230/

[fujiyama]

7. Your computer should be ok

THe faster computers need a lot of cooling (but make sure you don't get any moisture on it), but the question is, aren't you cold?

[TheMightyFavog]

8. Good question....

I'm going to have to leave my machine in my car overnight Wednesday night when I spend the night at my Sister's before I drive back home. for Winter break It's forcasted to get to -3F that night. Will it be OK to leave my machine in my car?

[huellewig]

9. The temp. should not hurt it..

The moisture can. I would give it about 24 hours at room temperature before starting it up the first time.

[Kellanved]

10. just give it time to warm up

It is possible that the CPU (and other heat generating parts) cracks, when powered up in a frozen system, due to the thermal expansion.

And check for moisture.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

11. If It Freezes Just Put It In The Oven To Thaw Out

eom

[welshTerrier2]

17. that's crazy ...

heat produced in an oven is much too dry ... you need to use a microwave oven ...

[DemocratSinceBirth]

18. Or Run Hot Water Over It

LOL

[Guaranteed]

35. I was thinking about just a nice inside campfire...

Ooooo toasty....

[Renew Deal]

13. I once drove from NH to NY with my laptop in the trunk.

It took the computer an extra second to start up. I think the LCD and other components froze. So I thikn the answer is yes.

[ET Awful]

16. LCD's can freeze relatively easy, they are, after all, liquid

(Liquid Crystal Display). They don't really freeze, so much as the liquid thickens and can't flow efficiently (basically cold temperatures increase the viscosity).

[jellybelly]

26. you should worry

about your poor computer suffering second-hand smoke.

:+

[qnr]

30. Well, from personal experience,

I used to keep my Atari STs and TTs in the wet lab on a polar icebreaker, with frequent trips to the Arctic and Antarctic. The wet lab was exposed to the open air and and sea spray, with very cold temperatures. They ran with no problems at all.

[Guaranteed]

31. Geez, guys, I was just wondering if I should close the windows or not.

This is what it takes to set a thread on fire?

I've been trying WAY too hard. :P

[CO Liberal]

32. Many Electronic Components Can't Tolerate Extreme Cold

And the hard drives may not be temperature-tolerant.

Close the windows!!!!

[sir_captain]

33. Not at all

in fact, it'll generally be good. People pay lots of money for active cooling systems inside their computers, and you're getting it for free!

[skygazer]

34. I don't think so

I used to work in a snowmobile repair shop - the only source of heat was a wood stove which I'd light at 5 am. It got incredibly cold in there overnight - whatever the outside temp was without the wind chill. As low as 10 or 15 below. Never had a problem with the computer. Except my fingers sometimes got stuck to the keyboard.