I\'m not strong in science, so let it be engineering. Wonder why some Soviet/Russian electronic devices (even military or space ones!) might be \'repaired\' with a good hit to the case, while USA, European or Chinese equipment may only be completely broken with such an \'approach\'? That\'s because in USSR/Russia contact pins were plated with silver instead of gold. Silver, unlike gold, slowly oxidizes when exposed to air, and silver oxide doesn\'t conduct electricity. And a good hit to the case can move the pins a little rubbing silver oxide out of them and thus restoring device functionality. Speaking seriously, some Russian complex military devices even had a rubber hammer as a \'#1 Tool\' in repair kit! And in case of device failure the first thing service engineer should do was (as stated in Service Manual!) to carefully hit each connector with the hammer. So when I watched \'Armageddon\' movie with a Russian astronaut \'repairing\' American equipment (with pins gold-plated!) by kicking it hard -- I knew for sure: That\'s. Not. True.