Simplify your laptop buying
Computer newbies: What should you touch before working inside of a tower
Grounding cable
by billzhills - 9/2/06 8:42 AM In reply to: Would This Work? by dcmorrisCutting the prongs will work just something I would not trust. Nor will the connection be tight.
Bill
I Know What to Do Now, and that is......
by dkniskern - 9/8/06 8:08 AM In reply to: Now I'm scared by tech_fantaticNever open the tower! Because I don't completely understand any of this.
Which reminds me - the last time I called Dell tech support, the first thing the guy told me to do was open the tower (though he kept calling it ''the card'').
I finally got it open, but then couldn't get it closed, due to a door hinge which had been improperly installed. I ended up having to have the hard drive replaced (and the door repaired), but at least I didn't fry anything!
I wore a pair of....
by peter marsh - 9/8/06 2:59 AM In reply to: What should you touch before working inside of a tower by tech_fantaticAfter turning off the electric socket switch (leaving the plug in)and pressing the computer start button (as per the manual).
I earthed myself by touching the metal casing, then for good measure wore a pair of latex gloves.
WHAT TO DO!!!
by r_rayjr - 9/8/06 5:29 AM In reply to: What should you touch before working inside of a tower by tech_fantaticAs have my degree in Electronic Engineering Technology. As everyone should know, YOU NEVER WORK INSIDE A COMPUTER WITH IT PLUGGED IN... Unplug it before you even open it. And if you do not have a static band to put on your wrist, then after you open the case touch the metal frame of the computer case before you do anything. In fact what I do since I do not have a work bench in my home, is I sit on the floor cross legged and I have part of my leg touching the frame after I touched it with on or both of my hands. Then depending one what I am doing I try to keep the arm that is inside the computer touching the frame somewhere, while I am working. I have never had a problem doing this and I have worked on several computer.
If you have a static band to use, clip it so the metal frame some where...
What I said I do some people might think is a little overboard, but what happens of someone comes in and they build up a static charge and lean on you to see what your doing, That charge from them will now got thru you, and so hopeful in my case either my leg or the arn that is touching the case will safely take the charge away from what I am working on... You do not want to take chances with your componates of your computer, unless you like spending money. It's best to be safe than sorry...
That's what they taught at the school anyway. And arm might be good enough, but if your sitting on the floor, your legs are right there anyway, use it as a second grounding point... BECAUSE THE STATIC CHARGE WITH GO FOR THE SHORTEST ROUTE...
I was told to leave the computer plugged in ? ?
by peter marsh - 9/8/06 7:27 AM In reply to: WHAT TO DO!!! by r_rayjrI was told (obviously) to switch the computer off at the plug, then press the start button, but leave the plug (UK 3 pin)in the socket to ensure the body of the computer remains earthed. Is this dangerous or bad practice ? It would appear from what has been said so far, that this is questionable. I'm sure that many who are novices, like myself, would appreciate clarification from those qualified.
I have origninal instructions that came with my RAM
by detarmstrong - 9/8/06 6:35 AM In reply to: What should you touch before working inside of a tower by tech_fantaticI JUST YESTERDAY put in new RAM and the instructions said to ground yourself by touching any of the unpainted metal surfaces on your computer's frame. (This will remove any static electricity from your body or clothing)
I also wanted to state another interesting thing you should do which I never personally thought about... The instructions said after you shut off the computer and unplug it, to discharge residual power by pressing the power button again.
What should you touch before working inside of a tower
by tls8 - 9/8/06 7:09 AM In reply to: What should you touch before working inside of a tower by tech_fantaticThe purpose of touching anything inside the PC before working on it is to dissapate any static electricity from your body to prevent damage.
I typically touch the power supply case while the pc is plugged into the the wall outlet to ensure a good ground.
After that, I unplug the PC and wait for the motherboard power led to go out. That way you're sure not to damage memory or other cards you're installing.
A true technician should have a cheater cord (only ground connection from a/c power to the pc), wrist strap and anti static mat to ensure no esd damage occurs to the sensitive electronic devices.
Safety First
by briandimartino - 9/8/06 9:04 AM In reply to: What should you touch before working inside of a tower by tech_fantaticLots of good ideas but if you're really going to be safe then the only way to go is:
1. Power down.
2. Remove power cord and plug in a ground only cord. (this is a cord that looks like the power cord but only has the ground wire)
3. Use a static strap! Be sure to connect it to bare metal on the computer. Static can build up as you shuffle you feet while working on the computer. In some places just moving in your clothing will build up a charge. The static strap takes care of all of this if it's in good shape AND worn!
4. When finished close up the case and don't forget to change back to the regular power cord!
The cost of the static strap is less than almost anything you will fry. The ground only cord is an extra cost and if not used the computer should be unplugged.
My routine...
by Corrupt_Data - 9/8/06 3:02 PM In reply to: What should you touch before working inside of a tower by tech_fantaticMy usual routine when opening up a computer is keeping it plugged in, but either cutting the power by turning off the switch on the rear of the computer at the power supply, or if that's not possible, turning off the power strip. That way, I can periodically touch the bare metal frame and the static electricity has an easier path to ground thus ensuring harmful static is discharged.
ESD
by robertofl - 9/9/06 2:02 AM In reply to: What should you touch before working inside of a tower by tech_fantaticEvery computer tech knows about ESD (electro static discharge) Every person I don't care who you are has some elctro stastic buildup in your body. Especially in the winter time. Every person that is going to work on the inside of a computer should always discharge them selves by usually touching the out side of the computer case. This will discharge any electro static built up in the human body. Most tech's wear a static strap. it's a strap that wraps around your wrist and has a metal clip on the other end which clamps to the computer case. Therfore always being in touch with the case will reduce any static that builds up in the body. Mother boards,hard drives,graphics cards, Nic cards, processors, anything inside the computer that is hit with static discharge will destroy the component. This holds true for any type of electronic equipment.
Re: Before you touch
by limpinghawk - 9/9/06 3:48 PM In reply to: What should you touch before working inside of a tower by tech_fantaticHi Newbies: My experience and believe me i've blown a few computers. 1) Take you're shoes off(shoes are not leather any more and hav'nt in 30 yrs. unless you got money. 2) What you wear or walk on Poly mix or Nylon will generate static. Just climb out of a 1992 US Made car and on a humid day touch the car frame or window frame. That's how much electricity your body can carry. You do'nt like the zap well neither does your computer. 3)Disconnect the power cord, ground yourself to the frame of the computer or attach a ground clip from you to the computer if you move alot. And belive me you do'nt realize how much your body moves in a 1 min. span. 1 Second is all it takes. 4) Any time you work on the inside of a computer hover the frame work with your skin on contact to the frame of the computer you are working with and you wo'nt have a problem. I'm not focusing on just this subject but anyone who wants to challenge electronics ( It's not as forgiving as oops) I wo'nt tell you good luck becauce luck has nothing to do with it. It's all about electronic's. It has it's the law.
What should you touch before working inside of a tower
by [STORM] - 9/9/06 5:11 PM In reply to: What should you touch before working inside of a tower by tech_fantaticWell before working on a computer you should tuch any wear on the metal of the tower make shure that the power lead is still corenected then put on a wrist strap and eath it to the computer or if you do not have one place the computer on news paper and make shur you are standing on the news paper to and when you have done all that touch the computer again and then remove the power lead waite for 30 seconds to 1 minite for the motherboard to disscharge and then it is safe to work on. Storm
Gorunding the tower.
by rap4rag - 9/9/06 11:09 PM In reply to: What should you touch before working inside of a tower by tech_fantaticI have an insulated wire from my shop to a grounding rod outside. I use this to conect to the wire that goes to the picture tube in a television set when I work on it. Sometimes I have other items that I will wrap the ground wire to the ground post of the plug or just inside the case where I can clamp my wire to without damage. This drains the residue electricity very well.
What to touch?
by msa_amk - 9/10/06 12:51 PM In reply to: What should you touch before working inside of a tower by tech_fantaticANY bare metal on the case.
Ah, you DID pull the power plug out first? Ouch!
ALWAYS pull the power plug first!!!!!!!! You MUST remove ALL power from the system before doing any work inside the case. No, you won't get shocked, but all modern computers have power applied to the motherboard unless the plug is pulled! You probably will fry something if power is applied.
What you are doing by touching the metal frame is discharging to 'chassis ground' any static electricity, which can easily run into the thousands of volts. This works really well when your other peripherals are connected, since they will give a true 'earth ground', such as thru the cable internet shield.
Solution to conflict - You DO need ground, but don't power
by JSB462 - 9/18/06 4:33 PM In reply to: What should you touch before working inside of a tower by tech_fantaticYou can reduce possibility of zapping a component by keeping body connection to the case, but that will just charge up the case along with you. Some components that have a high impedence to ground (case) could still be potentially damaged if touched. Smaller chance than if you don't touch the case, but still a chance.
True, if you leave the unit plugged in to the wall outlet, some internal components are often still energized, (like the power switch on the front) and if you touch or short something, you can zap a component or even yourself.
So what to do? The simplest solution is to plug the computer into a plug strip and turn the strip off. The strip disconnects the power, but not the ground. You are grounded without power being applied. You don't have to destroy a cord either.
You still need to either use a wrist strap connected to the case, or keep some part of you body in touch with the case at all times. Maintain contact at all times. Shifting your positon just once on the carpet can generate enough static charge to zap a component. That is why a strap is best.
| Forum legend: | |
 |
Locked thread |
 |
Moderator |
 |
CNET staff |
 |
Samsung staff |
 |
Norton Authorized Support team |
 |
AVG staff |
 |
Windows Outreach team |
 |
Dell staff |
 |
Intel staff |
