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[[Image:Hieroglyphics.jpg|thumb|right|System Failure [[Hieroglyphs|Hieroglyphics]]]]
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{{I|I=Hieroglyphics.jpg|w=200|a=right|c=System Failure [[Hieroglyphs]]}}
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'''System Failure''' was an event that would occur in [[the Swan]] [[station]] if the [[the Numbers|code]] was not entered into [[Station 3 Computer|the computer]] by the time the [[countdown timer]] reached zero.
[[Image:SystemFailure.jpg|thumb|right|System Failure Computer Screen]]
 
[[Image:SystemFailurePrintOut.jpg|thumb|right|System Failure recorded on the Pearl's [[Log printout]]]]
 
'''System failure''' is an event that occurs in [[the Swan]] [[station]] a few seconds after the [[Countdown Timer]] reaches zero. Once the [[Hieroglyphs]] are all displayed, the [[electromagnetism|electromagnetic]] force near the concrete wall in the Hatch begins to build rapidly, pulling any and all magnetic metallic objects inward from increasingly great distances. (Non-ferromagnetic metals, such as copper, aluminum and brass are not visibly affected; this is why [[Desmond]]'s key was not affected by the force.) The words ''system failure'' repeatedly scroll across the screen of [[Station 3 Computer|the Computer]] and a corresponding printout of the event is produced at [[the Pearl]]. The speakers also repeat "System Failure".
 
   
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==Description==
If the Computer is intact, there remains time to enter the numbers and prevent further damage.
 
 
{{I|I=SystemFailure.jpg|w=200|a=right|c=System Failure Computer Screen}}
 
[[Hieroglyphs]] would be displayed a few seconds after system failure, and then the [[electromagnetism|electromagnetic]] force near the concrete wall in the Hatch would begin to build rapidly, pulling any and all magnetic metallic objects inward from increasingly great distances. (Non-ferromagnetic metals, such as copper, aluminium and brass were not visibly affected; this is why [[Desmond]]'s key was not affected by the force.) The words "''System Failure''" would repeatedly scroll across the screen of the computer, and the event would be logged on the computer at [[the Pearl]], where a corresponding printout could be produced. There would also be a loud alarm sound, and the [[speakers]] would repeat "system failure," with a [[Lynnanne Zager|female voice]].
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If the electromagnetic force hadn't yet destroyed the computer, there would still be time to enter the numbers and terminate the System Failure, preventing further damage.
   
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==Occurrences==
At least two system failures are known with certainty to have occurred:
 
 
{{I|I=SystemFailurePrintOut.jpg|w=200|a=right|c=System Failure recorded on the Pearl's [[Log printout]]}}At least two system failures are known with certainty to have occurred:
# On [[September 22|September 22, 2004]] at [[4]]:[[16]] (dated by the [[log printout]]), also the day of [[The Crash]], a.k.a. [[Post-crash_timeline|Day 1]]. [[Desmond]] believes that he caused [[The Crash|the crash]] of [[Flight 815]] when his absence from the Hatch led to a brief system failure.
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# On [[September 22|September 22, 2004]] at [[4]]:[[16]] (dated by the [[log printout]]), [[Desmond]] believed that he caused [[The Crash|the crash]] of [[Flight 815]] when his absence from the Hatch led to a brief system failure. {{crossref|2x23}}
# On [[Timeline:November_2004#Day_66_-_Friday.2C_November_26.2C_2004|November 26, 2004]], when [[Locke]] decides not to [[Push the Button]]. After Locke causes the Day 66 system failure, Desmond attempts to rectify the situation by using the [[Fail Safe|fail safe]]. This in turn is followed by [[The Discharge]].
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# On [[Timeline:November_2004#Day_66_-_Friday.2C_November_26.2C_2004|November 26, 2004]], [[Locke]] decided not to [[push the button]] and threw the computer to the floor, preventing Desmond from entering the code. Desmond attempted to rectify the situation by using the [[Fail Safe|fail-safe]] mechanism. This in turn was followed by the [[discharge]] and the implosion of the Swan. {{crossref|2x23}}
   
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==Unanswered questions==
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{{NavMinor-Unanswered}}
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* What system failed during a System Failure, and what was/is the nature of that system?
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* What happened behind the wall when a system failure would occur?
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* Why did DHARMA choose to use Hieroglyphs in their counter?
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* Did a System Failure lead to the sealing of the area?
   
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==Cultural references==
==Theories==
 
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* The words "System Failure" were prominent in the movie ''The Matrix'' in the streaming number display at the end after the main character Neo was fully awakened to his powers.
* [[The Incident]] was also a system failure.
 
* [[The Incident]] predated the system of pushing the Button, and thus created the need for that system.
 
* [[Desmond]]'s system failure may not have coincided with the crash, since only the [[log printout]] links the two events.
 
** This is seemingly confirmed in Seasons 3 episode 1 [[A Tale Of Two Cities]] when [[The Others]] are first scared by a quake, assuming that's the system failure, then come out to see the plane crash
 
* A system failure explains the extensive damage to other stations. For example, there may have been a time before the losties arrived that there was no [[fail safe]]. The electromagnetic anomaly grew out of control, and began to wreak havoc on the other stations. [[The Pearl]] had part of its roof ripped out, [[The Arrow]] seems too dusty and dirty to recognize, and [[The Staff]] has lights hanging from wires. No matter how strong a magnetic attraction is, the source object can not be damaged directly, explaining why [[The Swan]] was still fully operational. DHARMA may have decided that the damage done was beyond repair, and abandoned all projects other than The Swan, where they installed the [[fail safe]] and regulary initiated supply drops, to keep another accident from happening.
 
*This is the actual event monitored by the men at the [[listening station]]. As the discharge has only happened once but the system failure has occured two times and the men at the listening station saw the "anomaly" twice.
 
*Another vehicle will crash/has crashed due to the system failure in [[Live Together, Die Alone]].
 
   
 
==See also==
 
==See also==
*[[Push the Button]]
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*[[Push the button]]
*[[Failsafe]]
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*[[Fail-safe]]
*[[The Discharge]]
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*[[Discharge]]
   
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{{Nav-Events}}
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[[de:Systemausfall]]
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[[es:Fallo del sistema]]
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[[fr:Défaillance système]]
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[[it:System failure]]
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[[pl:Awaria systemu]]
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[[pt:Falha do Sistema]]
 
[[Category:Events]]
 
[[Category:Events]]
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[[Category:DHARMA Initiative]]

Latest revision as of 13:59, 10 March 2011

Hieroglyphics

System Failure Hieroglyphs

System Failure was an event that would occur in the Swan station if the code was not entered into the computer by the time the countdown timer reached zero.

Description

SystemFailure

System Failure Computer Screen

Hieroglyphs would be displayed a few seconds after system failure, and then the electromagnetic force near the concrete wall in the Hatch would begin to build rapidly, pulling any and all magnetic metallic objects inward from increasingly great distances. (Non-ferromagnetic metals, such as copper, aluminium and brass were not visibly affected; this is why Desmond's key was not affected by the force.) The words "System Failure" would repeatedly scroll across the screen of the computer, and the event would be logged on the computer at the Pearl, where a corresponding printout could be produced. There would also be a loud alarm sound, and the speakers would repeat "system failure," with a female voice. If the electromagnetic force hadn't yet destroyed the computer, there would still be time to enter the numbers and terminate the System Failure, preventing further damage.

Occurrences

SystemFailurePrintOut

System Failure recorded on the Pearl's Log printout

At least two system failures are known with certainty to have occurred:

  1. On September 22, 2004 at 4:16 (dated by the log printout), Desmond believed that he caused the crash of Flight 815 when his absence from the Hatch led to a brief system failure. ("Live Together, Die Alone, Part 1")
  2. On November 26, 2004, Locke decided not to push the button and threw the computer to the floor, preventing Desmond from entering the code. Desmond attempted to rectify the situation by using the fail-safe mechanism. This in turn was followed by the discharge and the implosion of the Swan. ("Live Together, Die Alone, Part 1")

Unanswered questions

Unanswered questions
  1. Do not answer the questions here.
  2. Keep the questions open-ended and neutral: do not suggest an answer.
For fan theories about these unanswered questions, see: System Failure/Theories
  • What system failed during a System Failure, and what was/is the nature of that system?
  • What happened behind the wall when a system failure would occur?
  • Why did DHARMA choose to use Hieroglyphs in their counter?
  • Did a System Failure lead to the sealing of the area?

Cultural references

  • The words "System Failure" were prominent in the movie The Matrix in the streaming number display at the end after the main character Neo was fully awakened to his powers.

See also