casters-up mode

from Jargon File (4.4.4, 14 Aug 2003)

casters-up mode
 n.

   [IBM, prob. fr. slang belly up] Yet another synonym for `broken' or
   `down'. Usually connotes a major failure. A system (hardware or
   software) which is down may be already being restarted before the
   failure is noticed, whereas one which is casters up is usually a good
   excuse to take the rest of the day off (as long as you're not
   responsible for fixing it).

from The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (8 July 2008)

casters-up mode

   [IBM, probably from slang belly up] Yet another synonym for
   "broken" or "down".  Usually connotes a major failure.  A
   system (hardware or software) which is "down" may be already
   being restarted before the failure is noticed, whereas one
   which is "casters up" is usually a good excuse to take the
   rest of the day off (as long as you're not responsible for
   fixing it).

   [{Jargon File}]

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