Anti-Static Gear? Do

[Village00idiot]

I know everyone tells you to ground yourself with an anti-static wristband or something like that but what parts is this necessary for? And where do I go to get one of these wristbands?

[Gallaeglagh]

I suppose the best place (if you live in a city) is to ask at your local computer retailer, if not search on the web a bit. Personally I don't think they're all that neccesary unless you like to work standing on a new carpet while shuffling your feet. It's easy enough to touch the case every now and then.

One question I do have though is the power cord. Some say leave it in and others unplug it.

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Sweet Intoxication

[hiredgoonz]

Compusa has the reusable kind...the local computer shop has disposable ones...never used one though...



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When all else fails, read the instructions.

[mjc]

Radio Shack has them, too.


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mjc
Links list:Computer Links (http://www.dreamwater.org/tech/mjc/index.htm)

Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.

Gun Control...hitting what you aim at!

[Reid]

Originally posted by Gallaeglagh:
One question I do have though is the power cord. Some say leave it in and others unplug it.


Leaving a computer plugged in keeps the case grounded, but since some ATX supplies do not have a line switch, you would have standby voltage going to the motherboard. An older AT style has a power switch that opens both sides of the power line, so that would be safer. For personal safety, the safest thing would be to leave the power cord unplugged and connect a jumper lead to a ground.

For several years, I have just left the cases disconnected entirely, and open the anti-static bags while I am contacting the metal in the case.

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reido@my-deja.com

Friends don't let friends install Windows ME

[YODA74]

Originally posted by hiredgoonz:
Compusa has the reusable kind...the local computer shop has disposable ones...never used one though...

unplug cpu use rubber mate to stand on forget about store bought gadgets & wash hands before working on cpu this gets rid of static

http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

[hiredgoonz]

And don't use your Van de Graaf generator while working on the system...

Like I said, I've never used a strap and I've never fried anything, as long as you hold stuff by its edges and touch the case periodically, don't shuffle your feet or spin around in your chair, you should be fine...

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When all else fails, read the instructions.

[yawningdog]

Hey Reid. I'm looking at my atx pinout diagram right now and the greatest voltage in that connector is 12vdc. This is hardly a safety concern IMO.

You can touch the case all you like. If the case isn't grounded, you achieve nothing. For my money, an anti-stat strap is a sound investment and worthwhile practice. This forum is jam-packed with problems which could have been caused by ESD, which is why I'm amazed whenever I hear "I've never needed one".

Leave the case plugged in, use the strap.

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Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach him to use the net, and he wont bother you for weeks.

[Reid]

Yawningdog, I was just thinking about the possibility of shorting something out if the standy voltage was on and a screw or some other part got dropped on the board (I do that quite often), not it being a shock hazard.

By contacting the case and the parts I'm handling, both would be at the same potential.

Rethinking it, I agree that a wrist strap is a good idea.



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reido@my-deja.com

Friends don't let friends install Windows ME