from
The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (8 July 2008)
chip creep
card creep
<hardware> Gradual loosening of an {integrated circuit}
("chip") in its {socket} as a result of expansion and
contraction during the normal heating and cooling cycles of an
electronic system, combined with vibration, e.g. due to
cooling fans. The chip can loosen to the point that poor
electrical contact between chip and socket reduces the signal
quality, causing failure. Pushing chips back into their
sockets can cure such symptoms temporarily. Permanent
solutions include soldering chips directly to the {PCB} and
clipping the component into the socket (as on some {in-line
memory modules}.
The same phenomenon can affect anything plugged into a socket
but not held securely in place, e.g. a {circuit board} plugged
into an {edge connector} on a {motherboard} or {backplane} can
suffer "card creep".
(2007-06-19)