Would an EMP disable optical media and/or inactive computers?

[yoda313]

Ok I have a theoretical question here. Would an Electromagnetic pulse (EMP) or Solar Flare cause permanent damage to optical media? BY optical I of course mean cds, dvds, and bluray.

Also would an EMP or solar flare damage computers that aren't on at the time of the event? Does that kind of electrical pulse only effect active devices? Or does it fry the circuitry even if its inactive?

Just curious on this front. Thanks.

[lordsmurf]

Even when "off" a lot of devices still have power going to them.
I don't know about EEPROM/ROM type chips, Interesting question for sure.

EMP would not harm optical, no.

[yoda313]

EMP would not harm optical, no.

What about rewritable media? I know it has some phase changing properties that allow you to rewrite the disc. Would that be somehow more susceptible than a fixed non-rewritable media?

Even when "off" a lot of devices still have power going to them.

SO theroretically if you had an early warning and were able to unplug electronics would they be more likely to survive the blast if they weren't connected to a power source?[/quote]

I don't know about EEPROM/ROM type chips,

What about ssd drives? Would those operate differently under a emp? I'm sure military type hardware would be shielded against such possiblities. At least I hope so.

Interesting question for sure.

Yeah I was thinking about it after watching a "UNIVERSE" episode on the HISTORY channel the other week.

[jagabo]

Stick a CD or DVD in a microwave oven and see. I'll save you the trouble (it stinks):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5i8jgk1H6I

EMP from a nuclear blast will kill any electronic device that's not in a Faraday cage.

[filmboss80]

Under an EMP attack, lost data files will be the least of our problems.

[jman98]

I'm sure military type hardware would be shielded against such possiblities. At least I hope so.

My first job out of college was working as a computer programmer for the US Air Force. I would give a "maybe" to that. Some stuff probably is shielded, yes. But is everything? Probably not. Some of the behind the scenes computer equipment not near battlefields is ancient and that stuff is probably not protected at all.

[sambat]

Many years ago in the UK, I was in a Civil Defence dugout.
All of the communications equipment was ancient cord switchboards and crank handle telephones, relays etc - just because of this.

[MOVIEGEEK]

My understanding is any silicon based component(CPU, transistor, etc) would be fried, it doesn't matter if it's powered or not. I would imagine any magnetic tape would be erased as well.

[Squash]

You may get a chance to see if a solar storm can fry your electronics pretty soon; 2012 in fact.
http://in.news.yahoo.com/139/20100826/981/tsc-massive-solar-storm-to-hit-earth-in_1.html

I doubt, though, that it will rival the Carrington Event of 1859, which knocked out telegraph systems around the world:
http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2008/06may_carringtonflare/