Computer newbies forum: What should you touch before working inside of a tower

Never 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!

As 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 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.

Lots 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.

Every 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.

Well 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

ANY 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.