Can a piece of paper cause damage?

[Lucbert]

Hey!
I had a problem with my MBP. The piece of alu (back case or backside case or whatever its called) that covers the HDD and the Ram and all that stuff made a clicking noise when i tapped on it. I was a really loud very annoying noise. i fixed it by putting a very small piece of paper in between the cover and the computer chassis.
I do not think that it is actually touching any components inside.
Could this cause any kind of damage to my machine?
I am afraid that it might act as some kind of a connection between the internal components and the alu chassis and cause a short circuit.
What do you think?

 

[m3kilpat]

Though I am no expert, I'm pretty sure paper isn't a conductor and therefore won't cause a short circuit. I'd be more worried about restricting airflow or catching fire if the machine gets too hot. Either way, I'd have it looked at instead of using a do-it-yourself [unsafe] method.

 

[Lucbert]

Though I am no expert, I'm pretty sure paper isn't a conductor and therefore won't cause a short circuit. I'd be more worried about restricting airflow or catching fire if the machine gets too hot. Either way, I'd have it looked at instead of using a do-it-yourself [unsafe] method.

Thanks for the reply!
I already took it to the Apple Store but it's super loud in there so the genius said that it was within specs... Don't ask me why as I totally disagree.
I doubt that it will do anything to the airflow as it is just a tinny tiny piece of paper.
But maybe you are right about the fire... Does anyone know what temperature it has to be to make paper burn?

 

[darngooddesign]

The flash point of paper is 662 degrees F. I think you'll be fine.

 

[Lucbert]

I just noticed that I forgot to mention something...
The piece of paper that I used was sticky on one side. because i used a piece that I cut out of one of these white stickies.
Could the material that makes it melt do anything bad to my MBP?
I know im paranoid.

 

[MacModMachine]

that sticky stuff would only cause 1 of 2 problems.

1. leave a annoying residue thats sticky

2. leave a stain on the aluminum....very very unlikely.

paper will not harm the machine.

 

[moonwalk]

"The flash point of paper is 662 degrees F. I think you'll be fine."

I don't know about the flash point, but any Ray Bradbury fan will tell you that paper burns at - Fahrenheit 451!

Wikipedia : The number "451" refers to the temperature at which book paper auto-ignites.

Still, you should be all right...

 

[melman101]

"The flash point of paper is 662 degrees F. I think you'll be fine."

I don't know about the flash point, but any Ray Bradbury fan will tell you that paper burns at - Fahrenheit 451!

Wikipedia : The number "451" refers to the temperature at which book paper auto-ignites.

Still, you should be all right...

Found this on WikiAnswers, thought I'd share.

"The flash point of paper is 350 degrees C or 662 degrees F.

The ignition temperature of paper is 450 degrees C or 842 degrees F.

Source: The Handbook of Physical and Mechanical Testing of Paper and Paperboard - Volume 2 - Edited by Richard Mark

Bruce Moore-NJ

trivia - Ray Bradbury wrote a novel entitled Farenheit 451 - intended to be the ignition point of paper. "

--melman101

 

[moonwalk]

'The Handbook of Physical and Mechanical Testing of Paper and Paperboard - Volume 2'

I guess Bradbury's characters didn't have access to that book - or memorized it improperly...

So Bradbury should have titled his book 'Centigrade 451?' Doesn't quite have the same ring to it, does it? O, poetry!

I think I need a nice long drink of Dandelion Wine...

 

[DoNoHarm]

if the temperature causes the sticky part to melt and somehow the paper got into the logic board area, there is potential for harm.