One of my laptop's 256MB DRAM chips was corrupted after having it pass through the airport X-ray conveyor belt as well as a large secondary screening machine. Has anybody ever experienced this?

After passing security, I turned on my laptop yet only a black screen showed up along with seven short beeps. I called IBM technical support and they said that indicates that a DRAM chip is corrupted/damaged. After pulling out the faulty chip, my laptop started up OK (of course significantly slower without the extra RAM memory). The technician mentioned that large electromagnetic fields cause this problem, sometimes a solar flare has enough radiation to do this.

I'm curious whether the sensitivity of the screening machines can be controlled? I've seen some metal detectors that beep when you have a coin in your pocket, yet others don't make a sound when you have a watch, earrings, or rings. Perhaps the detectors were cranked up at their highest when my laptop went through, thus frying my DRAM chip.

Unfortunately, TSA denied my claim. They mention that "radiation from the X-ray machines located at the screening checkpoints does not have any effect on electronic media or personal electronic devices..." Well, I have the proof that it does.

Tesla,

Is it possible that the RAM was physically damaged, not by radiation, but by the bumpy ride through the X-ray machine with no padding? Is it too late to look at the damaged RAM for signs of this? You should definitely resubmit your claim to the TSA. They can't be allowed to get away with breaking our fragile and expensive equipment.

My backlight bulb was broken by the bumping and jarring at a checkpoint once.

I wouldn't call it proof...I'm not denying that it may be the x-ray machine, but you haven't ruled out other causes either - electromagnetic fields come from lots of different sources: cell phones and other transmitting devices, electronic equipment, near power lines, yadda yadda. Even flying a long haul at high altitudes exposes all of us (and our gadgets) to fair amount of radiation; the further you are from the equator, the higher the exposure too.

I agree that it seems unlikely that environmental exposure on board caused your problem - but scientifically speaking, your experience doesn't constitute 'proof' either.

Not disagreeing by any stretch, just injecting a little perspective for argument's sake..

http://www.niehs.nih.gov/emfrapid/booklet/youremf.htm

The IBM technician is speaking BS. He's probably trying to hide the fact that IBM's are crap machines and break down all the time

tesla,
TSA didn't lie to you; the radiation from the x-ray machine is very low. As GradGirl pointed out, could be from the bumpy ride through the machine's conveyor belt. Then again, if it's that sensitive, then any bumping at home, work or even in the car would have done the same thing. The only thing that makes sense to me is that perhaps you held it too close to the walk-through metal detector. The magnetic field emanating from it could have damaged your chip.

At my airport, we have a roller bar and table configured in such a way that when someone loads items into the x-ray, those items are at a safe distance from any magnetic field emanating from the WTMD. Just to make sure of that, we have tape on the floor on both sides of the WTMD that mark that zone. We use this primarily to prevent passengers from clustering too closely at the WTMD so that the person entering the WTMD isn't inadvertently beeped because someone else was standing too closely behind and the machine detected the combination of metal from both individuals.

The most common mistake travelers often make is placing disks or the miniature removable hard drives in their pockets as they enter the WTMD because they want to avoid having them x-rayed. Even when the WTMD alarms, there's a chance that the disks aren't damaged. However, during secondary screening, when the hand wand is held right up against the pocket where the disk is, the double-zap from the WTMD and hand wand pretty much affects whatever data was stored in the disk/drive.

One last thing about x-ray radiation (at least the model we have at our airport): damage from x-ray radiation exposure on undeveloped 35mm film is negligible. You can expose 800 ASA speed film through the machines and not damage the film. However, as a safety precaution, TSA recommends not running high speed or sensitive film (800 ASA and higher) through the x-ray. TSA screeners will use explosives detection methodology as an alternate screening procedure. Regardless of film speed, you always have the right to request your film be checked by a means other than x-ray. A TSA screener may explain to you which types of film may be safely x-rayed, but the screener may not refuse your request. Medical and dental Xrays can also be safely passed through the x-ray machine because they've already been exposed. Unexposed x-ray film cannot be run through the x-ray machine. Video cassettes, digital cameras and anything other than unexposed x-ray film and undeveloped 35mm film MUST be screened by the x-ray machine.

I can't imagine your laptop's RAM being damaged as a result of going through the x-ray machine... bumpy ride or not.

My laptop goes with my on every trip - and has yet to be damaged by the scanners.

I have - however - owned an IBM ThinkPad (it was a T20). Lets just say it was the worst piece of **** that I have ever owned. The thing needed a new battery every 6 months - the screen kept malfunctioning (something with the wires connected to the LCD) - and the problems kept coming.

I'm not saying it wasn't the x-ray machine...I can't say for certain - but it wouldn't surprise me if it was the laptop itself!

-Chris

Thanks for all of your comments. I've passed through that airport (PIT) with the same laptop at least once every three months since the problem occurred and nothing has happened. This occurred in December 2002 when there the security level was at Orange due to some people that the FBI was searching for, I had a hunch that if the detectors were put on their most sensitive setting perhaps this corrupted the DRAM chip.

Unfortunately I can't pin it down to TSA since I was past security and flying in the air when I discovered the problem. As 'flymeaway' mentioned, at high altitudes there is a higher dose of EMF radiation.

One thing that irked me was the laptop was not under my constant survellience when this incident occurred. Back in Dec. 2002, TSA had one guy frisking me with the wand, while another guy took my laptop away to get scanned. During those 30 seconds or so, I don't know whether the laptop was dropped. Learning from their mistakes, TSA now makes sure your valuables are under your constant survellience.

I think what I will do from now on, even though its a hassle, is to
1) Boot up the laptop before passing through security.
2) Show the laptop to a TSA employee, proving that it works.
3) Shutdown the laptop
4) Pass through security
5) Boot up the laptop again to make sure it works.

I like this idea. I wonder if the TSA screener is even permitted to assume liability by looking at your working laptop and saying, yes, we can see that it works at the beginning of this screening process.

Any comments from the TSA on that?

I'd say it's pretty unlikely your RAM was damaged by the x-ray.

1)Why just one chip? Wouldn't more be damaged?

2)Many other laptops should have been similarly damaged that hour/day/week/etc as the rads probably weren't just cranked up for your laptop.

You probably just had a defective bank of RAM that blew. It does happen sometimes and you do travel frequently.

It's extremely difficult to shape electromagnetic fields in such a way that only one RAM chip or bank would be affected. If external fields were the culprit, it's likely that there would be extensive damage. One would have to place a strong magnet practically on top of the chip in question for this to occur.

Even if we were permitted to assume liability for a laptop, I would never do so. I don't know all the little quirks of your laptop and such. And just seeing a laptop bootup doesn't mean it's working either.

I'm not a TSA person, but I'd guess no...too many variables at the checkpoint, too many individual screeners involved in the process for one person to take personal responsibility for one's machines. Besides, it would be abused...personally, I'd love a new iMac. How convenient would it be if I not-so-gently put my Dell in the bucket on the sly, or some such thing, then held TSA accountable?

I had a TSA Agent drop my laptop and the TSA refused to assume liability for the damage. Needless to say, I had to spend the $$$ to get it fixed. Thumbs down to the TSA and The Department of Homeland Security. They are just another governmental dog and pony shop.

<Sigh> I get frustrated whenever such a simple procedure isn't followed. First of all, screeners are never supposed to touch, search or handle your property outside of your view without your consent. Yeah, I know. I'm going to be bombarded with posts that it happens all the time, and this is something that I deal with at my own airport as well. Although, I'm happy to report that it's less frequent with MY screeners on my shift because they know my expectations. Nonetheless, you have the right to request that your property not be taken out of your view. In situations when screeners are hand wanding you and searching your property simultaneously, you also have the right to request that they not touch your property until the hand wanding is completed so that you can concentrate on watching them search your property. There's a cost that comes with this and that is time. It will take more time to finish screening you, but as long as you understand that, then it shouldn't really be an issue.

Second of all, there's nothing wrong with the method you describe. You do have the right to request that a lead screener or supervisor observe you boot up your laptop before and after x-ray screening. Don't be surprised if they're reluctant or less than enthusiastic about it, but it is your right and there isn't anything wrong with it. Again, it is going to take up more time, but if it will leave you with the satisfaction you desire, then that's part of the customer service TSA promises its passengers.

Sometimes, I think TSA screeners get caught up with the notion of having to expedite people through the checkpoint. Not saying that they sacrifice thoroughness; and I would hope no checkpoint ever does that. However, some of the "short cuts" are simultaneous screening such as what I described above (hand-wanding a passenger AND searching his/her property at the same time). As long as the passenger is comfortable with that, then I see no problem with it; however, if a passenger is not okay with it, then TSA screeners must respect those wishes. Another "pet peeve" of mine that I'm constantly on top of is when the x-ray operator pulls a tray out of the tunnel to physically examine its contents. There may be a legitimate reason for it such as a suspect image; however, they are not supposed to do that. What I tell my screeners is that if there's a suspicious item or something that resembles a suspicious item (such as a pocket knife attached to a key ring), then it's permitted to LOOK at the tray when it comes out of the tunnel WITHOUT touching it. IF it can be cleared visually, then let it go. IF it can only be cleared by moving the objects around or perhaps removing a sweater that is on top of whatever the item is or anything else that requires touching/handling the tray, then call a bag check so that it can be handled/touched in front of the owner. My screeners complain that this is time-consuming and my comeback to them is, "it may be a cheap Timex watch in there, but as soon as you handle the tray out of the passenger's view, the claim is going to be that it was a Rolex. Are you willing to accept that liability?"

bull.

if your wand is putting out that much rfi, its dangerous to people's health.