Pacemaker causing problems?

[HaleStorm]

I've had a strange error reported to me today, a computer keeps turning itself off, but it only happens to one student. The rest of the day it runs happy as larry.

 

I first thought this was down to the student mis-clicking/kicking plug under the bench. But ive since found out that this student has a pacemaker. Is it possible that this could be causing the problems with the computer? Especially as its just this one computer and only ever happens to this particular student?

[MattHarwood]

It does seem a long shot, but the newer pacemakers do have some type of wifi / radio connection built in. Possibly, at a stretch, could affect the monitor but not sure about the machine itself.

 

Not an expert in anyway, just guessing

[HaleStorm]

When it was suggested to me i was somewhat dubious as it only happens at one computer in one lesson, which just by chance has its plug at leg swing level...so im tihnking its more of a swinging leg habit and the student not owning up to kicking the plugs.

Plus im sure if something that could cause a computer power failure from a pacemaker would also cause catastrophic heart failure too

[soveryapt]

Is there any way you can isolate the plugs to stop the leg swing effect from taking place and see if the issue "resolves" itself?

[Edu-IT]

Move him to a different computer?

[mattx]

Move him to a different computer?

 

Or turn off his pacemaker and see if the problem goes away ???

[HaleStorm]

The student has been moved to a computer with boxed in electricals (need a screwdriver to get to them) and suprisingly the problem has not ceased....but the student still blames it on the pacemanker not her swinging legs

[soveryapt]

Are you sure this student isn't shutting down the PC themselves .. could you check event logs to see if the machine has been shutdown or shutdown in error? Or (if you have some software like Impero etc) set it to log the screen of the student to see what happens .. ?

[HaleStorm]

I checked the system logs and there were no actual shutdowns during the times the student used the machine only start ups. But the machine gets used pretty much constantly and its not happened to anyone else

[localzuk]

The student has been moved to a computer with boxed in electricals (need a screwdriver to get to them) and suprisingly the problem has not ceased....but the student still blames it on the pacemanker not her swinging legs

 

We saw an example of a 'magnetic' child who would basically cause any machine he touched to turn off... So its entirely possible!

[HaleStorm]

@localzuk we have a "static tecaher" who cant work anything touchscreen because it just goes absolutly mental, its funny when they walk to close to the 500series promethean boards because the cursors has a massive fit

[Edu-IT]

Or turn off his pacemaker and see if the problem goes away ???

 

Why didn't I think of that!

[Dos_Box]

Moving to the Hardware forum as it's quite interesting this. Of note also is that there are several site's mentioning that electrical equipment should be kept 6 inches from the body, and in all the cases I've been reading up on it is the device that interferes with the pacemaker, and not the other way around.

[PICNIC]

My Wife produces mini EMP events everywhere she goes (its the only explanation I can come up with... )

[pete]

Given that pacemaker signals (control/reprogramming) are supposed to be extremely short range - there was a big article a while ago about how insecure the comms protocols were - and the human body is a big fleshy bag of water, I'd have a hard time imagining the signals would be strong enough to affect the PC unless they were snuggling it.

[elsiegee40]

and the human body is a big fleshy bag of water

Water is an excellent conductor...

 

... fingers touch keyboard, knee touches PC case

 

....bang! ?

[pete]

Water is an excellent conductor...

 

... fingers touch keyboard, knee touches PC case

 

....bang! ?

 

For electricity, yes. But pacemakers (or at least certain models) are programmed wirelessly and it was the interference from that I was thinking of.

[elsiegee40]

For electricity, yes. But pacemakers (or at least certain models) are programmed wirelessly and it was the interference from that I was thinking of.

 

Pacemakers are still electrically powered @pete

 

Like laptops, their wifi still doesn't work without electricity!

[glennda]

wasn't there a thread on here somewhere about a student who crashed any computer they sat at?

 

I'll see if i can find it!

[AMLinington]

There is a condition (that I can't remember the name of) where the electromagnetic field is abnormal and disrupts electrical equipment. There is anecdotal evidence that people that grew up near or under Power lines and pylons are more susceptible to it, but there are loads of resources about it (if I could remember the name I'd be able to find them). It can be as simple and turning off lights when they enter a room to full on wiping out a fuse board on a regular basis. It's driving me crazy because I was really interested in it at school (I did it as a project in Science I think) but can't remember the proper name. It's an acronym of some sort.

[PICNIC]

There is a condition (that I can't remember the name of) where the electromagnetic field is abnormal and disrupts electrical equipment. There is anecdotal evidence that people that grew up near or under Power lines and pylons are more susceptible to it, but there are loads of resources about it (if I could remember the name I'd be able to find them). It can be as simple and turning off lights when they enter a room to full on wiping out a fuse board on a regular basis. It's driving me crazy because I was really interested in it at school (I did it as a project in Science I think) but can't remember the proper name. It's an acronym of some sort.

 

Is the acronym TEACHER? make up your own words...

[alan-d]

Wrap the kid up in tin foil.