How to Protect Laptops from Toddler Damage

  • Thread starter Thread starter Andre
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Laptop
AI Thread Summary
A toddler accidentally damaged a laptop by plugging a headset audio jack into a USB port, leading to motherboard failure. Discussions highlight how easily laptops can be damaged by such actions, particularly due to a lack of current-limiting protection in cheaper models. While some users shared experiences of similar incidents, including one involving a cat, others noted that desktops might offer better protection against such mishaps. The parents' liability insurance will cover the damage, emphasizing the importance of childproofing environments where technology is present. The conversation also touches on the challenges of keeping curious toddlers safe from electronics, with humorous anecdotes about their adventurous nature.
Andre
Messages
4,310
Reaction score
73
So, I have this cute enterprising little toddler running around here every Thursday, to allow his parents to do their things for a living and he is develloping interests fast. He knows that a laptop is great for looking teletubbies and he also sees a lot of rope sticking out of that magic box.

But then he finds another piece of rope, from a headset, not connected to that magic box, and obviously he thought that all ropes have to be plugged in. And being a helpfull little guy, with his 14 months of age he decided to adjust that omission. So before anybody could react he put the audio plug in a free USB port.

The laptop died quietly, not even a protesting cracking noise nor a smoke puff. Just the end. Black screen, nothing. The techician thought that the hard disk might be okay but the mother board can be thrown away.

Did you know that can kill a laptop so easily? Are there toddler proof brands that have safety fuzes to prevent such an aggravation?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Toddler proof? I can imagine adults trying to do that!
 
Really? That's one adventurous toddler, I've never heard of a computer giving the spirit in that way.
 
You just got "lucky", perhaps he shorted the 5V line to ground. While this could do damage it is not a certainty, and a bit surprising that it took out the motherboard.

Recently I made the periodic trip to rescue moms computer (she is 83). One of the complaints was that she was not getting sound.

I found the speaker plug pushed into a USB port. Fortunately no damage was done. Perhaps desktops do a better job protecting circuitry then laptops or she just missed the 5V line.
 
Andre, do you have all child-accessible electrical outlets plugged with inserts? Sounds like a necessity, to protect the budding engineer.
 
Unlucky maybe indeed, although the tech said that he saw it happened before.

This is the enterprising minor:

24mx6r7.jpg


I have to say that knowing his parents, it's not too surprizing.

And yes Turbo, the living has been adapted to in an attempt to get it juvenile proof. The outlets are secured, drawers and doors have security clips, the open kitchen is fenced off, etc. Still you can't look away for a few seconds or he has found the only one thing he could do damage with.
 
Andre said:
And yes Turbo, the living has been adapted to in an attempt to get it juvenile proof. The outlets are secured, drawers and doors have security clips, the open kitchen is fenced off, etc. Still you can't look away for a few seconds or he has found the only one thing he could do damage with.
Typical! My niece is a whirlwind, and you have to keep an eye on her constantly. Plus, if you make it known that she is NOT to touch something, that is the thing that she must play with above all else.
 
What a handsome kid, no wonder he gets into trouble though, he has a tiger t shirt.
 
lol, good story http://bayarearoster.com/js/includes/34/b/happy.gif
 
  • #10
wolram said:
What a handsome kid, no wonder he gets into trouble though, he has a tiger t shirt.

Exactly that 's another bouncing anthropomorphic pal, Tigger
 
  • #11
Laughed at the title and love the kid, I see another pooh fan. :)
 
  • #12
Integral said:
Perhaps desktops do a better job protecting circuitry then laptops ...

No, it just depends on the make and model. Most of the cheaper laptops don't have current-limiting (or over-volting) protection on their USB ports. I've seen similar things happen with cats chewing through mouse cables and shorting out the USB power lines. There's a chance that just the power supply died and not the system board but you would have to take the thing apart and probe it to find out.

I'm going to take a shot in the dark and guess that you have either a Dell, HP, Gateway, or Acer?
 
  • #13
Sorry to hear about the demise of your laptop Andre. The Tigger shirt is really appropriate. :smile:
 
  • #14
try an iPad

no USB

(I'm kidding, Apple sucks)
 
  • #15
Anyway, the good news is that the personal liaibility insurance of the parents is going to refund the damage.
 
  • #16
Glad the laptop WAS covered: When my spouse checked out a video camera from the university library for a teaching project, the staff told him it was insured against everything except sharks, bears, and children under 5.
 
  • #17
My work laptop was *marked* by my male cat. HSSSSSSSS, fried. Luckily, my company did not make me pay for it.

Tech Support: What happened?

Me: You don't want to know.
 

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top