Laszlonian solution to the compiler error

[Tony Laszlo <laszlo@example.com>]

Way back in June, I got the following advice from 
Simon on TLUG. 

> > Tony Laszlo (lists.tlug):
> > >gcc: Internal compiler error: program cc1 got fatal signal 11
> > 
> > This just means that your computer has exploded.
> > http://www.bitwizard.nl/sig11

This computer is still running, but things have gotten worse, 
with various programs coring out, X crashing down occasionally, 
etc. The page above notes several possible causes, including 
a faulty cpu, fan and memory. 

Well, I am about to give up on this machine, but thought 
I would try switching to some old memory chips that I 
had been using before I increased the memory. I noticed that 
one of the clips holding down the bottom chip had broken, possibly 
causing the two chips to come into contact. this is a notebook. 
the chips are pancaked on top of one another horizontally. if 
the bottom one should lose its anchor as it has, it pops up 
on a 60 degree angle or so. 
I switched back to the old chips (just in case the problem 
is not cpu, fan but the newer chips which mysteriously 
deteriorated over time) and looked around for some way to 
anchor the bottom one. I settled on an old telephone card 
(in case it matters, it has a picture of Fuji san on it) 
which I folded in half and wedged between the two chips. It 
didn't quite anchor the bottom chip, but at least it keeps 
them from touching each other. 
So, I am hoping that the problem was not cpu, fan or faulty 
chip, but simply chips touching each other and getting very 
hot and bothered about it. 

My questions: 

* if it works, can I patent this solution ? :) How about 
GPL? 
* will there be any fallout (melted telephone card 
all over everything?)?
* any bets my computer won't make it to see Y2K+1?

Tony Laszlo
Jiyugaoka, Tokyo