OK, now what did you feed your dog....

[Steamborg]

Hiya, im going to tell you a story my dear chums about my experiences in a tech support call center...for the "64oBe" computer company....here is an example of some of the strangest issues, and WTF moments ive had...

((internal thoughts are marked by "( and ")" just so you know))

*incoming chat*

1d10t: Yes my computer is having a problem

me: I will be more than happy to help you today, what can i do for you?

1d: well my computer is on fire....

(at this time, we had to ask)

me: are you using the computer to talk to me now?

1d: no, i stopped using it when it burst into flames, how could you even ask that?

me: im sorry sir, we have to ask that..

1d: oh, its ok i understand, but no not while it was on fire, but when it was smoking, yeah i was using it.

me: (wait.....what?) You were using it while it was smoking?

1d: Yeah, i was kinda curious about why it was smoking, but it still worked, so i figured it was ok.

me: (*sigh). ok and when did the computer catch fire?

1d: after my dog peed on it...

me: (record scratch) i need to clairfy your issue: your computer was smoking and you continued to use it. Then your dog urinated on it and it burst into flames?

1d: Yes thats correct.

Me: How long had it been smoking?

1d: 3 weeks.

me: (so you used your computer for 3 weeks while it was smoking, and only called after it burst into flames from dog piss) well sir, unfortunately, your warranty does not cover pet damage, i would have to connect you to our out of warranty department to set up an onsite technician and out of warranty repair.

1d: why? my warranty is supposed to cover all damages....

me: our accidental damage covers spills and other issues that are not normal wear and tear of computer parts, i do understand how frustrating this can be for you. (that and i doubt it would be covered anyway jackass....)

1d: your cheapskate lying bastards! im throwing this computer out and going with <insert name of competetor here>

*Chat disconnected**


I mean what the hell? what did you feed that poor animal, liquid napalm?

[Arm]

I just want to know why it was still working for 'weeks'...

If you're burning insulation or capacitors, fine, I'll give it a few days. Depending on the capacitors lost, it may not impact performance if you only run the computer for a few minutes or so each time. But weeks? Come on.

[mandaliz8704]

The dog apparently pees gasoline.

[mattm04]

Note to self: do not purchase the dog food with the "DANGER EXPLOSIVE" label on the bag.

[RootedPhoenix]

Note to self: do not purchase the dog food with the "DANGER EXPLOSIVE" label on the bag.

or the Five Alarm hot curry flavored one...

[DGoddessChardonnay]

Note to self: do not purchase the dog food with the "DANGER EXPLOSIVE" label on the bag.

or the Five Alarm hot curry flavored one...

Thanks guys. Now I'll need to read the ingredient list on those bags of chow Mom gets for our dogs.

Of course we haven't had one set any of the bushes near the lot fencing on fire yet but there's always a first time . . .

[Oberonsshadow]

The dog apparently pees gasoline.

Well we've had owners bring their dogs into our hospital after eating some odd things (a large bag halloween chocolates, including the wrappers; 4 bottles of antidepressents and a bottle of blood pressure medication; two socks, a pair of underwear and half a toy; a tennis ball; etc)....but nothing that causes them to urinate gasoline or napalm...

Though we did have a dog that chewed up a bottle of lighter fluid once. After making sure it wasn't going to cause problems, we jokingly advised the owner not to let the dog attempt to light his gas on fire...

But yes, I have no idea what would cause urine and a computer to erupt into flames...

[trailerparkmedic]

My little sister works as a receptionist at a vet hospital on her breaks. One lady called in because her cat got into her coke stash and consumed about half of it.

[jerkface11]

They probably fed the dog some tannot root http://farscape.wikia.com/wiki/Tannot_Root

[Naaman]

My little sister works as a receptionist at a vet hospital on her breaks. One lady called in because her cat got into her coke stash and consumed about half of it.

I've seen a cat on speed, that's a scary sight...

[Chromatix]

Simple explanation: impure water (which urine is) is a fairly good conductor of electricity. (Very pure water is a fairly good insulator, but it's hard to keep water that pure since it is a good solvent.)

The computer probably started smoking after the first time the dog peed on it, which caused enough of a short-circuit to overheat something - possibly in the power supply. A later peeing incident caused a more thorough short-circuit, which overheated something enough to burn.

[Bliss]

It's also possible that there was a crust of lint or dust around a high heat area like cpu sink or GPU. it could smoke for a few days without causing real damage (other than overheating the CPU eventually)... now the fire, yes I'm betting a short but still fire should be a very rare response for that.... ah well.

Btw on the cat story, I once saw a puppy consume an ashtray full of cigarette ashes, one unsmoked joint, and two coke dosses... and it didn't seem to have any apparent effect on him...