SMOKING KILLS YOUR COMPUTER

                            H. George Dean

     This  is  a  compilation of facts and studies  from  several  sources.
Studies are still being done, so it is by no means complete.


60%  of data loss on floppy disks (not due to actual damage like  bends  or
creases) is due to cigarette smoke.

90%  of  general read error failure in a floppy drive is due  to  collected
smoke on the drive heads.

15% of floppy drive failure is due to smoke.

80% of data loss on a hard drive (not due to physical failure) is caused by
smoke  and 25% of hard drive failure is due to smoke. If you  have  company
records  on  a central computer it is recommended that it be  in  a  SEALED
'Clean Room' to prevent loss of data.

Erratic  behavior  of a computer is often due to the power supply.  30%  of
power supply problems are believed at this time to be caused by smoke.  (it

appears likely this is conservative).


Smoke  is believed to cause failure of other components in  your  computer.

Wherever  there are contacts there may be a failure. The 'acid' content  of

smoke may also eat away at circuit boards and components. Studies are still

in progress on this.


It  is recommended that your hard drive be replaced once a year to  prevent

data loss from smoke. At a minimum, at least once every two years.


Smoke  is carried throughout a facility by fans, central  air  conditioning
and central heating. Even when you cannot smell it, enough smoke is present
to do damage to your computer equipment.

     "A stitch in time...."
                                   HGD