Demo Meltdown

System crash that occurs when you demo your (previously) bulletproof code for the boss, customer, or instructor (depending on environment).

Fallout from the LawOfDemos.

One of the more famous DemoMeltdown-s was not so long ago when BillGates was demo'ing the PlugAndPlay USB features of Windows98 and he experienced the BlueScreenOfDeath when he went to plug the device in.

--DrewMarsh

As I recall, upon encountering the BSoD, he quipped: "That's why it's still in beta." -- JeffreyHantin

The dialog from that most famous of demos is as follows. The co-announcer (real name anyone?) does the traditional "Woah...", after which they pause for the audience to settle down a bit (a lot of laughter), this is followed by the co-announcer's "Moving right along..." and Bill Gates saying "That must be, er... that must be why we're not shipping Windows 98 yet." -- JohnKemp

See: CriticalNeedDetector?