Bugs in computer hardware (real ones)

[Chuck Guzis]

On 9 Feb 2007 at 0:40, Doc Shipley wrote:

    OK, I'm curious about the ultrasound idea.  Have you done this 
> successfully with electronics?
> 
>    The reason I ask is that ultrasound turns a lot of semiprecious 
> stones to mush.  I would have been afraid that ceramic components (and 
> electrolytic capacitors, for that matter) wouldn't survive ultrasonic 
> cleaning.

No, not with electronics.  Ultrasonic is very big in brass musical 
instrument repair, however.  Some shops (not mine) have tanks large 
enough for a large sousaphone.   

The problem with brass wind instruments is that calcium salts from  
saliva eventually crystallize in the innards of an instrument and 
then proceed to leach the zinc out of the brass, leading to the 
dreaded "red rot"--essentially very porous copper that leaks air.  At 
that point, repairs become very expensive.

The tranditional way of handling deposits is called a "chem clean".  
Usually a bath of muriatic or chromic acid that acts on the calcium 
deposits faster than it acts on the brass.

Ultrasonic cleaning is being touted as an acid-free way to accomplish 
the same thing.  Many swear by it--but then, many swear by cryogenic 
treatment of their instruments to improve response.

Snake oil exists in all fields.

Cheers,
Chuck