# happy days \[Smacking machines to make them work - edited title\] **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 15, 2008, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-days-smacking-machines-to-make-them-work-edited-title/449442 "2008-05-15T15:18:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![shijinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@shijinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shijinn)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2008, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-days-smacking-machines-to-make-them-work-edited-title/449442/1 "2008-05-15T15:18:10Z")
this [post](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=9804147&postcount=4) by **Yllaria** made me wonder, what else in this day and age would benefit from a good whack upside? apart from a robot that attempts to clean the floor for you? an old CRT monitor maybe? but that doesn’t count because it’s all LCD and plasma nowadays. (whacking those won’t ever help right?) ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2008, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-days-smacking-machines-to-make-them-work-edited-title/449442/2 "2008-05-15T16:25:22Z")
CRT monitor _definitely_. Back when I did front-line tech support, I was down to voodoo or a right cross as my only two options to fix a misbehaving monitor. I told the user to look the other way, applied the right cross, and the monitor was fixed. I then told the user, “That’s very advanced skill at work there: _do not ever let me see you trying that on your own_.” Monitor worked flawlessly from then on, AFAIK. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2008, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-days-smacking-machines-to-make-them-work-edited-title/449442/3 "2008-05-15T16:39:02Z")
The starter motor in my car. It’s probably the solenoid that’s sticking, but twice in the last week I’ve had to give it a whack with my tire iron. Something tells me I should change it soon. ---
**Author:** ![xizor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xizor/32/102_2.png) [@xizor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xizor)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2008, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-days-smacking-machines-to-make-them-work-edited-title/449442/4 "2008-05-15T18:14:31Z")
I have a weed whacker that requires some tough love before it will stay running. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2008, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-days-smacking-machines-to-make-them-work-edited-title/449442/5 "2008-05-15T18:27:12Z")
Please use descriptive titles in GQ. I edited the title to indicate the subject of the thread. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2008, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-days-smacking-machines-to-make-them-work-edited-title/449442/6 "2008-05-15T18:50:18Z")
Quantum Leap’s Al often had to smack his hand held computer to make it work right. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2008, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-days-smacking-machines-to-make-them-work-edited-title/449442/7 "2008-05-15T18:50:45Z")
[QUOTE=Annie-Xmas] Quantum Leap’s Al often had to smack his hand held computer to make it work right. [/QUOTE] :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2008, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-days-smacking-machines-to-make-them-work-edited-title/449442/8 "2008-05-15T18:53:26Z")
Ah, percussive maintenance; the last hope of a desperate tech. Been there, done that. ---
**Author:** ![Rocketeer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocketeer/32/4437_2.png) [@Rocketeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rocketeer)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2008, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-days-smacking-machines-to-make-them-work-edited-title/449442/9 "2008-05-15T19:02:40Z")
The cold water solenoid valve on our washing machine stops buzzing when you whack the side of the machine with your fist good and hard. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Stana\_Claus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stana_claus/32/13874_2.png) [@Stana\_Claus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stana_Claus)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2008, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-days-smacking-machines-to-make-them-work-edited-title/449442/10 "2008-05-15T19:32:34Z")
Case fans in many computers, especially in dusty environments, will eventually become noisy. They generally respond well to percussive maintenance for a while. ---
**Author:** ![shijinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@shijinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shijinn)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2008, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-days-smacking-machines-to-make-them-work-edited-title/449442/11 "2008-05-15T19:46:01Z")
should have known there’ll be a term for it. looking it up on [wiki](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technical_tap) turned up these two examples.. > [@](#): > > … During the first Skylab mission, NASA wanted the astronauts to try reactivating a non-working module in the power system. The astronauts’ instructions included the observation that “Pre-Flight history has indicated past relay hang-ups which have been freed by mechanically shocking the relay. Recommended procedure is to strike the CBRM housing at the point indicated below [on the accompanying schematic]. Tests indicate that you cannot hit the CBRM hard enough to damage it.” The astronaut who performed the operation was well acquainted with the procedure—Pete Conrad. … > [@](#): > > … The motion detection sensors for Nintendo Wii Remote can become stuck. Applying a technical tap on the remote is a solution that even customer support reportedly suggests[3] when all else fails. To solve this problem, turn the remote button-side down in your palm, and smack it loudly, but not so hard as to damage the controller. … ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2008, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-days-smacking-machines-to-make-them-work-edited-title/449442/12 "2008-05-15T19:47:23Z")
> [@](#): > > Tests indicate that you cannot hit the CBRM hard enough to damage it. I bet those were some fun tests. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2008, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-days-smacking-machines-to-make-them-work-edited-title/449442/13 "2008-05-15T20:26:29Z")
The recent Space Station mission had an instrument package which ended up being mounted on a peg via percussive maintenance. And a friend of mine had a rocket payload that they were only able to get to launch via the same technique (I think it his case it was a switch that was stuck). ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2008, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-days-smacking-machines-to-make-them-work-edited-title/449442/14 "2008-05-15T20:34:09Z")
Vending machines. I hate machines that will not let you shake them until the thing you bought fell out. Sure, some say, what if it were MY vending machine, would I want OTHER people to shake it? Heck no! BUT, if it were my OWN vending machine, and I bought something from it, I’d sure as heck shake it! So in wanting to shake it, I am treating it exactly as I would as if I owned it. ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2008, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-days-smacking-machines-to-make-them-work-edited-title/449442/15 "2008-05-15T20:49:15Z")
Years ago, one of the TV networks - either CBS or NBC - had a technical directive about percussive maintenance. If a panel meter was suspected of being stuck, you were allowed to tap it no harder than you’d hit the bridge of your own nose. ---
**Author:** ![mlees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@mlees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mlees)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2008, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-days-smacking-machines-to-make-them-work-edited-title/449442/16 "2008-05-15T21:05:07Z")
Back in the days when gauges and meter dials had analog needles, sometimes those needles get stuck, presenting a false value. A sharp rap with the finger may be required to reassure the user that the gauge was _not_ stuck. (Beaten by **gotpasswords** ) ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2008, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-days-smacking-machines-to-make-them-work-edited-title/449442/17 "2008-05-15T21:25:12Z")
My parents’ washing machine sometimes forgets to go into rinse/spin until you whack the top. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2008, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-days-smacking-machines-to-make-them-work-edited-title/449442/18 "2008-05-15T23:12:07Z")
Two items. I once had a car with a heater fan that would stick in an on-and-screaming-wildly mode. Solution was to whack it with a hammer or rock. It eventually went out, but whacking it worked temporarily. The kids loved it. Of course they were at an age to be interested by anything going on under the hood. Or anything screaming. I once listened to a book on tape that had instructions at the end on a slap-it-flat-onto-a-table technique to be used if the cassette was sticking. If it persisted in sticking, you could send it for a replacement or notify the library to do so. I’ve tried it several times with my own tapes and I think it only worked completely once. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2008, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-days-smacking-machines-to-make-them-work-edited-title/449442/19 "2008-05-16T00:36:17Z")
Not exactly the same thing, but the Apple III computer, of which Wikipedia says “in a technical bulletin, customers who were experiencing certain problems were instructed to lift the machine 3 inches (76 mm) and drop it in order to reseat the chips.” ---
**Author:** ![lizardling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f4b2a3/32.png) [@lizardling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lizardling)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2008, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-days-smacking-machines-to-make-them-work-edited-title/449442/20 "2008-05-16T01:15:19Z")
My old CRT TV. Sometimes the picture crackles and pops when I’m playing a game. I found that a good open-handed slap on the side, about midway up, got it to reset itself real reet. I very much suspect that my next TV will not respond well to that sort of percussive maintenance. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-days-smacking-machines-to-make-them-work-edited-title/449442.md?page=2)