Is My Computer Suffering?

[Tempus Fugit]

It's been a very long time since I actually smoked while working on my computer. I was always hesitant to do so, simply because the tar circulating through the case is not something one wants coating sensitive (expensive) computer components. My addiction got the better of me of course, especially during long hours of working at home or gaming. Fortunately, for the last several years, I had confined my smoking to the out doors.

Anyway, nowdays, I have gone back to satisfying my addiction indoors. We all know that vaping doesn't stink up the house, nor does it contain tar. I DO see the vapor entering the front of my computer case. So, is there any reason to be worried? Would there be a difference in PG or VG based liquids as to what might stick to my fancy video card? Maybe it is nothing, but watching the vapor get sucked in by the fans just reminds me of the old days when smoke used to pour in there.

 

[mwahle1]

I used to smoke in front of my computer all the time. When I would open it up, I could not believe it was still functioning due to the thick tar/dust “gunk” covering every surface. My computer still lasted over 5 years even with these horrible conditions.

Now I vape all the time in front of my computer. I know it is drastically less harmful to the computer than cigarette smoke, but is it completely non-detrimental? I do not know, but I would not worry about it. I would think the effects would be relatively insignificant.

 

[techtony]

Computer equipment actually benefits from higher humidity like that produced from vaping, dry air produces static electricity. A few years ago Dell had some capacitors that reacted badly to humidity but that's been quite some time.

 

[Belhade]

Computer equipment actually benefits from higher humidity like that produced from vaping, dry air produces static electricity. A few years ago Dell had some capacitors that reacted badly to humidity but that's been quite some time.

Was that related to the swollen/bursting capacitor phenomenon prevalent in the older Optiplexes?

 

[techtony]

Was that related to the swollen/bursting capacitor phenomenon prevalent in the older Optiplexes?

that'd be the one, gawd I had so many customers ...... off it wasn't even funny.

 

[Zurd]

I'm on my 6th computer, had them for an average of 3 years, had one for 5 years, always smoke indoors in front of my computer, never broke one, I'd just replace it with a better one, analog's smoke is probably not good but I don't think it can kill a computer, plus the fact that we replace them quite often. And it's my opinion that PV would do even less harm.

But how do you get your PV vapes to enter the computer case? You blow in your computer direction? Then just blow in the other direction! I could understand with analog if your ashtray is near the fan and you have an analog in the ashtray but with a PV ?!

 

[techtony]

I had a customer that brought his pc in every 6 months so we could scrape the tar from inside his machine.

 

[itsmine]

i've seen mods that put computer mother board graphics card in a fishtank full of liquid dont now what the liquid was but the computer was running fine

 

[beecee]

Was that related to the swollen/bursting capacitor phenomenon prevalent in the older Optiplexes?

Ahh, I went through way too many motherboards during that time.

I used to go to peoples homes to get their machines and if they were a smoker....egad, what a mess.

However, I can't see that vaping around a system would cause it any heart ache.

 

[googled]

My PC smells of toffee.

 

[JohnnyVapor]

Vaping near a computer potentially has similar problems to smoking around one. It's possible that components could get a film of PG or VG on them. As for the likelihood of this, I'm not totally sure. I don't think it'd be as bad, but it could be a factor.

 

[chrisl317]

Was that related to the swollen/bursting capacitor phenomenon prevalent in the older Optiplexes?

Those Dell boards were the last of an affliction that had occured years earlier when a cap manufacturer had tried industrial espionage. What had happened is that the electrolyte formula was only half stolen and the formula was back engineered incorrectly. The result for a couple of years were MB's were manufactured using this bad formula and many caps had started leaking, bulging and blowing up.
Remeber any residue on electronic components will raise it's inability to cool properly, electronics don't do well when they heat past their specified operating temp.

 

[chrisl317]

i've seen mods that put computer mother board graphics card in a fishtank full of liquid dont now what the liquid was but the computer was running fine

Pure uncut anti-freeze. It must have been the whole MB, your graphics card has to be inserted into a slot on the MB for it to function, unless it's onboard. That is built into the MB.

 

[techtony]

Pure uncut anti-freeze. It must have been the whole MB, your graphics card has to be inserted into a slot on the MB for it to function.

None conductive oil. I've seen it done a few times. there is a mfr that has the pc designed around this concept.

pretty cool, but pretty pricey!

 

[Katattack]

I know someone mentioned in a post that they used to smoke by their computer and when cleaning the monitor would (of course) get this icky tarry residue off but since using a PV there is not visible build up. However, clear build up might be present just not as noticeable though it does indicate that any residue from vaping doesn't have the same sticky, dust-binding qualities of cigarette gunk...that alone should be an improvement but not necessarily 100% harmless.

 

[chrisl317]

None conductive oil. I've seen it done a few times. there is a mfr that has the pc designed around this concept.

pretty cool, but pretty pricey!

The liquid used for higher end water cooling is also non-conductive and can also be used.

 

[itsmine]

None conductive oil. I've seen it done a few times. there is a mfr that has the pc designed around this hardcorecomputer.com
pretty cool, but pretty pricey!

wow That's nothing like the fish tank set up i seen mmmmm very nice very expensive

 

[MitchellBeans]

Those Dell boards were the last of an affliction that had occured years earlier when a cap manufacturer had tried industrial espionage. What had happened is that the electrolyte formula was only half stolen and the formula was back engineered incorrectly. The result for a couple of years were MB's were manufactured using this bad formula and many caps had started leaking, bulging and blowing up.
Remeber any residue on electronic components will raise it's inability to cool properly, electronics don't do well when they heat past their specified operating temp.

Way back in 2001, I had a Abit motherboard with a Slot A 1ghz processor -- overclocked from 750mhz -- and about a year in the caps started leaking and what not, right by the slot for the CPU. Some were completely popped. I just thought it was cause I overclocked it.. hmmm ...

 

[VaporTrailz]

Computer equipment actually benefits from higher humidity like that produced from vaping, dry air produces static electricity. A few years ago Dell had some capacitors that reacted badly to humidity but that's been quite some time.

The swollen caps problem was an industry wide issue due to a bad cap formula...Ive seen it on at least two other motherboard brands besides Foxconn (Dell's OEM supplier), and on a Creative Labs Soundblaster soundcard also.

As a PC tech, my educated guess is that vaping in front of the PC will definitely cause less harm than smoking would. I blow clouds that get sucked in my PC all the time...no worries.

 

[VaporTrailz]

Those Dell boards were the last of an affliction that had occured years earlier when a cap manufacturer had tried industrial espionage. What had happened is that the electrolyte formula was only half stolen and the formula was back engineered incorrectly. The result for a couple of years were MB's were manufactured using this bad formula and many caps had started leaking, bulging and blowing up.
Remeber any residue on electronic components will raise it's inability to cool properly, electronics don't do well when they heat past their specified operating temp.

Bingo...thats what I had heard....affected the whole indutry, some vendors more than others.