It's one thing to have your computer crash. It's another to have it crash in front of thousands of sports fans. This latest humiliation took place Saturday at the pre-game festivities for the Oklahoma/Brigham Young game
at the at the brand new
$1.15 billion Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Reader Jeff tells us that they had a breakdown on the scoreboard screens: first, the screens went blank, then displayed some odd ASCII gibberish, then announced to the assembled crowd that things weren't going so well in Microsoft land. Jeff was there with his trusty iPhone to capture the moment for us, and we present it to you on this day when you're not working, either.
It's not the first time this kind of embarrassing stuff has happened; Microsoft had
another glitch at the Beijing Olympics last year. But hey, it could happen to anybody, right? If you've seen another example of an embarrassing public computer-based slipup (PC or Mac -- we don't discriminate on comedy), feel free to
send us a tip!
Thanks, Jeff!
![TUAW [Cafepress]](http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/tuaw-cafepress-promo.png)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Bastian said 5:31PM on 9-07-2009
Ok, and WHY exactly do you post this? Windows took a dive, so what. Using Apple products doesn't mean you have to dislike Microsoft and poke fun of it.
Reply
KAD said 5:32PM on 9-07-2009
calm down buddy
Jordan said 7:18PM on 9-07-2009
I disagree Richard N, this has everything to do with using Apple products. Notice how it so blatantly points out how the guy was there with his iPhone to take a picture?
scott.quincy said 7:19PM on 9-07-2009
Um... Yes, it does.
daniel said 4:14AM on 9-08-2009
Obviously you didn't do well in comprehension at school.
"If you've seen another example of an embarrassing public computer-based slipup *******(PC or Mac -- we don't discriminate on comedy)*******, feel free to send us a tip!"
Rich said 12:36PM on 9-08-2009
You never see products like this with the mac screen of death is because apple have never let any product similar to those always show out of the barn doors
MikeWard1701 said 2:48PM on 9-08-2009
Relax, its just good ol' Schadenfreude!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCQGQ5qBQTA
impaler said 3:02PM on 9-08-2009
Yeah it does.
Steven j said 6:59PM on 9-08-2009
He posts it because it is funny. Humorous. Smile inducing.
As computer users we call all relate. As mac users we may justify purchasing a more pricey computer in order to avoid these same problems when possible.
Now please, try and smile about it!
Tony Ward said 5:30PM on 9-07-2009
That is delightful.=)
Reply
julian said 5:44PM on 9-07-2009
:)
Raaj said 10:46AM on 9-08-2009
Everytime my Mac crashes, makes me want to punch a Mac Genius at the Apple store. I hate smug bastards!!
SubGenius said 12:59PM on 9-08-2009
@Raaj - Bring it on!
pavelbonev said 5:22PM on 9-08-2009
Windows probably had automatic updates turned on and the computer tried to reboot.
Good feature of the competition's system!
kindakrazy said 5:31PM on 9-07-2009
They don't have blue light bulbs?
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Robert said 6:45PM on 9-07-2009
Judging from the text on the sign, this screen would have been shown during boot-up. When Windows does not properly shut down (for example, as a result of a power failure), on the next boot, it will display a screen containing several boot options (Safe Mode, Last Known Good settings, Start Normally, etc.), and a countdown timer (the highlighted option being taken when the timer reaches zero). The user then uses the arrow keys to select the desired action, then hits Enter to execute the action. This screen uses white text on a black background. The display in the photo is in that particular stage of the Windows boot-up. It is NOT a BSoD.
skalpa said 7:46PM on 9-07-2009
Yes I agree.... This is NOT a computer crashing, this is just a computer booting.
Elliott813 said 12:31AM on 9-10-2009
Does this show anything but that most businesses don't use macs, what would you have them do when the scoreboard program runs only on windows. Although it is pretty funny
Reply
Cash said 5:47PM on 9-07-2009
And if I hadn't just spent the majority of my labor day weekend trying to un-bork my sister's iMac thanks to her recent upgrade to Snow Leopard, I might find this amusing.
Almost as amusing as repeating her smug proclamation that "now that I have a Mac, I won't need you to fix my stuff anymore because Mac's NEVER crash," in my best falsetto.
In her defense though, while her PC problems were usually due to acts of stupidity, like clicking on popup banners, opening strange emails out of curiosity, and using Limewire, this time all she did was foolishly believe Apple PR when they told her upgrading to Snow Leopard would be akin to witnessing the face of God on her glossy 24 inch screen. I guess this is what early adopters of Vista must have felt like. I'm not an Apple faithful, but if I were, this whole debacle would probably burn.
Reply
Carlos Oliveira said 6:40PM on 9-07-2009
I guess some act of stupidity also happened when upgrading to Snow Leopard. I'm a mac user, way since 9.2, and this was the most straightforward upgrade process I've ever experienced.
Some friends also upgraded, and they reported 0 problems, as well.
PS - That picture of the OS X crash @ GeniusBar is pure... genius! =D