[Techtalk] what is bricking?

Billie Walsh bilwalsh at swbell.net
Mon Jan 23 23:15:35 UTC 2012


On 01/23/2012 05:04 PM, Carla Schroder wrote:
>> On 01/23/2012 03:10 PM, Carla Schroder wrote:
>>> O gurus, what does it mean to brick a device like a wireless router? Is
>>> it correct to say it's corrupting the OS to the point where it cannot
>>> boot, and you cannot re-flash the EEPROM? But if you had a nifty little
>>> EEPROM programmer device thingy, and could safely pull the chip out of
>>> the router, you could restore it?
>
>>>
>>
>> "Bricking" generally refers to turning a functioning device into a
>> "brick", aka., a "paper weight". Sometimes this entails letting the
>> "Magic Smoke" out of the device if it is electronic\electrical.
>> Sometimes it can be repaired but often is not cost effective.
>>
>> "Magic Smoke" is what makes all electronics work. The magic smoke
>> circulates through the circuits so the device works. When you let the
>> Magic Smoke out it stops functioning. This is accompanied by an acrid
>> smell and usually, but not always, visible smoke escaping from the device.
>
> I could use a  little Magic Smoke myself from time to time.
>
> Carla

That's a 'hole other subject.  *<]:oD

-- 
“The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain 
the  people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the 
government lest it come to dominate our lives and interests”.

- Patrick  Henry -


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