Working on a PC Question

Uncle Timbo

Uncle Timbo

Joined
Nov 23, 2005
Messages
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I recently replaced my Ram from twin 256's to 512's. (price was real right) My question is, how do you all ground yourselves when doing such an upgrade? I know you could buy a wrist strap and ground it where? But is there a less expensive/easier way? Help me ol geeky ones (I'm just jealous!) Enlighten me.
 
You can just keep touching a large metal object that is unpainted/uncoated to remove static from yourself, you don't need to be permanently grounded.
Hope this helps.
 
If you want to ground yourself, take a long piece of wire and wrap a bare end around a metal water pipe. Usually the incoming water lines are copper or iron, while these days it's common to use plastic for the outgoing lines. The incoming pipe will be well grounded. Wrap the other bare end around your ankle while you work inside the case.

It's not really necessary to do this though. Just touching the wire before you go into the case will most likely be enough. Or do your work on a humid day when there is less chance of static electricity. Wrapping it around your leg is playing it absolutely safe.

Stitchawl
 
Usually what i'll do to make sure all the electricity is out (i havent been shocked in the 8 years ive worked on computers) is unplug the computer, hold the power button until the all the energy is out (itll try and turn on, it's just expending the last of the electricity) and just like someone else said, touch something metal to remove the electricity.
 
As Suzuki suggested. And the power supply case is a good piece of metal in this case. Also, don't do this standing on carpet or plastic office mats. Wood or tile is preferred.
 
Thank you all. My PC is located in the spare bedroom with carpet and drywall. No pipes. I thought the grounding was more for the PC than to worry about me getting zapped? Maybe I've misunderstood the grounding issue?
 
I wouldn't really worry about it. It's made too big a thing for the occassional hardware swap. Ram should be fine to change. Just make sure you put it in the right slots.
 
I often make a static workstation on the kitchen table when I'm doing computer work by folding up some aluminum foil and attaching an alligator clipped grounding wire. I've got some large heavy duty foil rolls from costco that work well for this. Old power cord twin lead cut off of junked electrical equipment make good cheap patch cords. Just cut the plug off, unzip them, and solder on some alligator clips. Add a one megohm resistor in line to keep the discharge currents reasonable and for safety.
 
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SuzukiGS750EZ said:
I wouldn't really worry about it. It's made too big a thing for the occassional hardware swap. Ram should be fine to change. Just make sure you put it in the right slots.
Click to expand...

Exactly. I've been building computers for over 14 years and I've NEVER used a grounding strap. I can say with 100% certainty that I have never damaged a think on a PC.
 
Porkbilly.223 said:
Thank you all. My PC is located in the spare bedroom with carpet and drywall. No pipes. I thought the grounding was more for the PC than to worry about me getting zapped? Maybe I've misunderstood the grounding issue?
Click to expand...

In my experience most of the people, who have also worked on computers with me, have grounded themselves not out of fear of being electrocuted themselves, but more so to ensure that the components within the case aren't shocked and subsequently ruined.
 
Knee against something metal. I don't know anyone that bothers with static mats or straps.
 
512? they still make sticks that small? :D
just touch the frame of the case, you'll be fine. it's not like you need a lot of metal, you can even ground yourself out on the screw holding the faceplate on an outlet/lightswitch.
 
SuzukiGS750EZ said:
I wouldn't really worry about it. It's made too big a thing for the occassional hardware swap. Ram should be fine to change. Just make sure you put it in the right slots.
Click to expand...

If you take that approach, just be sure not to touch any components or gold edge contacts.
 
512? they still make sticks that small?
Hey man, way back in the hollar, you're lucky to get that.
 
I've never worried about it. I just unplug or take the battery out.I've built CPU/laptops when 4mg was thought to be alot :) Never had a problem
 
Like most said, just touch every so ofter the unpainted metal parts of the computer chassis, but for the grounding to properly work, you need to keep the computer off but plugged. The power cable grounds the computer using the ground connection of the electric socket. That allows all static electricity to go somewhere besides into the chassis. As long as the computer is off you won't get shocked, unless you jam a screwdriver in to the power supply itself.
 
Porkbilly.223 said:
I recently replaced my Ram from twin 256's to 512's. (price was real right) My question is, how do you all ground yourselves when doing such an upgrade? I know you could buy a wrist strap and ground it where? But is there a less expensive/easier way? Help me ol geeky ones (I'm just jealous!) Enlighten me.
Click to expand...
People still make 512mb ram? My local computer parts store barely has any 1gb sticks left, they're only stocking 2-6gb sticks now lol :p.
 
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