My laptop has suddenly become magnetic...is this a bad thing?

Question

My laptop was perfectly normal yesterday but when I got to my desk this morning and turned it on I noticed that the usb connection on my mouse was sticking to the front panel of my laptop. Thinking that was incredibly weird I tested it further with a pair of scissors and a paperclip. Yep, definitely magnetic.

It's only a small part of the front panel of my laptop that has become magnetic. A spot directly under the left click button on my touch-pad. My laptop seems to be working fine otherwise, but I've always thought that magnets + computers = bad.

I had my screen replaced a couple of weeks back and thought that might be a possible cause but you would think if my laptop was going to do something weird as a result of it, it would have done so before now.

Does anyone know if this is a matter for concern? Or should I just amuse myself by sticking more paper clips to it?

Answer 1

Electricity flowing through metals in its self can create a magnet, which is most likely what is happening.



Magnets hurt computers in mainly one of two ways, leave spots on screens and erase the hard drive. (Hard drives are made of lots of small magnetic disks and that's how it actually stores information).



So if this magnetic affect has not affected any component of your laptop already, its not going to. But if you are worried it will mark your screen, then just make sure the computer is off before you shut the screen. (Since that magnetic affect should stop after electric stops flowing in your computer)



FYI: Theres a button on all laptops to put them asleep without having to close the screen, mine is FN+F3.

Answer 2

I found this answer on another forum. Here it is~



[–]ikoniq93 1 point 2 years ago

It's two things. First and foremost, it's a sort of magnetic catch for the display. However, you'll also notice that if you put a magnet to the corresponding location on the edge of the display (it's safe, LCDs aren't affected by magnets), the computer will go into sleep mode. This is because there is a magnetic switch that operates as part of a system called "ACPI", or Advanced Configuration and Power Interface.

If you open the Windows Device Manager, there will be an item in the list called "ACPI Lid" or similar. That's the switch used to determine whether the lid is open or closed, and determines what to do when it detects a closed lid scenario.

Answer 3

It's probably static energy. The monitor emits static energy at objects that always gets rub. Try it on your hair.. Rub it vigorously with the back of your comb and try to put a small piece of paper on your hair if it sticks :D

Answer 4

how magnatic? i.e. where?



if its a mac then thats normal because they have magnets to stay closed, so do some other laptops.



oh and dont worry about it, if your computer is still working then its not that bad. just stay away from other magnets

Answer 5

It's okay as long as your laptop isn't acting weirdly, just refrain from letting it attract stuff.