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From: brucec@orca.TEK.COM (Bruce Cohen)
Newsgroups: talk.bizarre,comp.misc
Subject: Re: What the world needs now
Message-ID: <2372@orca.TEK.COM>
Date: Mon, 25-May-87 16:37:53 EDT
Article-I.D.: orca.2372
Posted: Mon May 25 16:37:53 1987
Date-Received: Wed, 27-May-87 00:40:26 EDT
References: <1240@ssc-vax.UUCP> <424@sdcsmb.UUCP>
Reply-To: brucec@orca.UUCP (Bruce Cohen)
Organization: Tektronix, Inc., Wilsonville, OR
Lines: 35
Xref: mnetor talk.bizarre:1879 comp.misc:591

In article <424@sdcsmb.UUCP> kmd@sdcsmb.UUCP (Karen M. Davis) writes:
>Um.... many computers built for military applications contain a "trap door"
>that can be reached by an assembly sequence that will direct the transformer
>or power supply *input* onto the motherboard.  Manufacturers of this type of
>computer include HP and Litton.  This "feature" is supposed to be used to
>destroy your computer as the installation is being overrun by the enemy.
>Since most of these suckers use large DC generators as input to the
>transformers/power supplies, you can imagine the fireworks that occur when
>this stuff reaches all those cute little ICs. ;-)
>
>It was supposed to leave the attackers with molten sludge.

The unfortunate thing about this capability from our point of view (we
WANT these little guys to go up flames, right?) is that it was manually
controlled.  Back when I was a military digital type, in the most recent
unfortunate conflict, we made do with thermite bombs on top of the
equipment.  Orders from the generals were to melt everything down at the
first suggestion of the enemy.  Orders from the captain of our facility
were that anyone pulling the switch for the thermite bombs had better stay
inside with them, since HE wasn't going to pay for several million dollars
worth of toasted equipment.  So we need to have a true self-destruct, and
make sure our computers don't develop a survival instinct.  Then all we
need to worry about is the insurance policy (and the lawyers, omigod!).

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    "'I am afraid that I rather give myself away when I explain'
    said he.  'Results without causes are much more impressive.'"
            - Sherlock Holmes in "The Stockbroker's Clerk"

My opinions are my own; no-one else seems to want them.

Bruce Cohen
UUCP:        {the real world}...!tektronix!tekecs!brucec
ARPA/CS-NET: brucec@tekecs.TEK.COM
overpaid:    M/S 61-028, P.O. Box 1000, Wilsonville, OR  97070