Magnets and CPUs

Is it true that putting magnets on the side of one's CPU can damage what's inside?

wile the cpu is working the if the magnet is strong enough it can alter the currents inside but attracting or repelling the electrons inside.

should this be a general discussion question ?

I don't think so; I'm asking a logical question about CPUs which are pieces of hardware.

When you say 'CPU' are you referring to just the Central Processing Unit, or the entire tower itself? I don't believe that a magnet can do anything to the processor, but a very strong one can mess with your hard drives. Monitors and floppies are probably the main devices that you need to worry about when it comes to magnets. There is some interesting information here:
http://www.dansdata.com/gz009.htm

i know it is safe to use a magnetic screw driver on the CPU and it is also safe on the harddrives to screw them into the case. I hear it needs a realy realy strong magnet to damage the harddrives. Ive never heard of a magnet damaging the CPU (maybe it only causes damage if the CPU is running)

I was just wondering. Thanks for your replies!

Hard-Drives use the same type of storage as floppies but they are in a vacuum sealed container. That is why they don't get affected very much by weak magnets.