How to kill your computer

When the kernel panics once too often...

Cook it

While accidentally leaving your computer in the oven is a very unlikely scenario, deliberately putting it in your microwave is another prospect altogether.

Microwave This are three jokers who, twice a week, take household products and see how they fare when exposed to a high dose of radiation.

Although Macbooks are renowned for getting pretty hot anyway, is it a good idea to subject one to dielectric heating?

Have a look what happens.

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Fry the circuits

We've heard about the red ring of death when it comes to Microsoft's Xbox, but a red ring can also bring demise to a PC.

The hob of a stove is not a good place to leave your notebook, as one hapless pupil at Taunton School recently discovered. Luckily the scent of singed circuit boards overpowered that of teen spirit and a serious fire was prevented. The hard drive was recovered in the end, but the laptop which was handed to the helpdesk with a gaping hole underneath, never recovered.

Tip of the hat to Tom Shepherd at Taunton School for bringing that to our attention.

Holy smokes!

In some cases, cooking can be beneficial to a computer though.

I am the God of hellfire

Burn, baby burn. Cisco inferno! Forgetting to turn on the firewall may bring infection to a PC, but putting your computer on a wall of fire will almost certainly bring fatality.

It appears this is common practice on YouTube, with countless examples of pyromaniacs who take the phrase burn a CD a bit too literal.

Grill 'em, flame 'em, douse 'em in petrol and chuck 'em on the campfire - There's many methods to the madness.

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However, while burning your PC may seem a tempting proposition, your computer could beat you to it if you're not careful.

You probably remember the battery packs scandal a few years ago, but it isn't uncommon for computers to be left on overnight, only to spontaneously combust through overheating. People have died as a result.

Here's an image of my own Macbook battery which seemed to have a life of its own. It was barely distorted when I removed it from the machine, however after a few weeks in the the filing cabinet I was shocked at the sudden expansion.

So, while setting a computer alight is an option, remember it may self-combust instead. Just don't be nearby when it does.