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That Damn PC: Hardware, Software, Virus, Malware, PC Troubleshooting,

Don’t Zap Your PC or Grounding Yourself

by Dean on December 12th, 2005

Warning

Grounding yourself before you touch the inside of your PC is mandatory and fairly easy to do. The first thing to remember about opening a PC is that it is an electronic device, and electricity can kill. Be wary of technicians who would tell you not to listen to this post, and that all you need to do is touch the case and you are good. These are the bone heads that have fried a stick of memory and then just said it was bad and would have to be replaced.

When you are ready to work on your PC the first thing you want to do is power it down. The next step is to unplug your PC. Danger Will Robertson, Danger; most technicians with an A+ Certification will tell you to not unplug your PC so it remains grounded. Wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong!!! All modern PC’s have an ATX Power Supply. An ATX Power Supply keeps some electricity flowing to the PC as long as it is plugged in. This way you have a quicker boot time. However all it takes is one little malfunction with the motherboard and you light up like a Christmas tree. The chance of this actually happening is slim, but do you really want to really take the chance.

In the old days before ATX Power Supply’s there were AT Power Supply’s which did not keep electricity in the motherboard. It was recommended to keep the power cord plugged in for grounding. I still recommend unplugging the PC and safely grounding yourself. Now let us look at different ways you can ground yourself.

The first and least effective method is to touch metal, like the inside of your case. There is no extra equipment needed for this method. What you must remember is whenever you move your feet you must ground yourself again. Remember all the cool technicians ground themselves in this manner. It’s because their cool, and dangerous. I of course am not cool I am more conservative, and only use this method in a pinch.

The next method and most recommended for general use is an anti-static wristband. A good one should run you under $25. Belkin, 3M, and Black Box are all good brands. There are also plenty of other brands you can choose from. Just remember even though this is the preferred method it is not as cool or dangerous as just touching the case.

There are many other ways to ground yourself one of which is using an anti-static floor mat. Also for the real hard core technician there is even anti-static flooring and tile. However for most people the anti-static wristband is just fine. If you are looking for grounding solutions there are a lot of good products at 3M’s website

Just remember be cool, don’t be a fool, ground yourself. I’m not sure what kind of ending that is, but just go with it.

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POSTED IN: Intro To PC's

11 opinions for Don’t Zap Your PC or Grounding Yourself

  • Andy Merrett
    Dec 13, 2005 at 9:43 am

    Yeah, I’ve read the “leave the PC plugged in” - even on some ‘authoritative’ websites - and shuddered. Like, uh, why would I want to touch something plugged into the mains supply? I’ll just stick my fingers in the socket and stand in a bucket of water, shall I? :)

    I find if I’m doing a minor job and am very careful, the case method works fine (at least I’ve not fried anything yet) - but then I’ve done so little upgrading it’s probably just good fortune - a couple of memory chips, a wi-fi card and a second hard drive.

  • Dean
    Dec 13, 2005 at 10:38 pm

    Andy:

    This may sound real dorky, but I am excited you left a comment. You are my first official commentator. Soon I will have other minions and you can be my General over them. Wait, I am getting ahead of myself. For real though thank you for posting a comment. You are wise to be cautious about what other people write, especially when it comes to PC’s. Most PC technicians only know what their A+ book told them and then they act like everyone else is stupid compared to them. Just remember to be careful with the touch the case method, I have zapped my share of memory.

  • That Damn PC » Taking the Cover off Your Case
    Dec 15, 2005 at 3:43 pm

    […] Now that you have the cover off, look around, but don’t touch. Once you have seen enough put the cover back on, plug in your PC, and continue on. If you think you are ready to actually work on your PC, read Don’t Zap Your PC or Grounding Yourself […]

  • Ross
    Dec 23, 2005 at 7:35 pm

    Yo, thanks for that guide that was quite informative. I got an antistatic wristband but want to know exactly where to clip the other end. What defines a grounded object?

    Thanks :)

  • Dean
    Jan 16, 2006 at 8:30 am

    You should clip it to something metal like your case. I found a small piece of flat metal that I keep with my grounding strap. You could always fasten it to some e metal on the PC.

  • David Atkins
    Feb 1, 2006 at 11:07 am

    I think you should also advise that after unplugging the PC you should wait about 5 minutes to give the caps in the power supply time to discharge a bit. Anyone that’s been bit by a still “loaded up” cap will attest to that

  • Bill
    Jan 27, 2007 at 12:48 am

    This is just a silly observation:
    A wrist-strap will ground the wearer and avoid static-shock to the system by…connecting the wearer to the metal inside the case. The only advantage this has to directly touching the case to relieve any charge is that the wriststrap will do it constantly, even if you shuffle your feet while working inside your tower.

    If you really want to be safe, buy an anti-static mat; IBM didn’t spend gobs of money developing them for no reason.

  • Peggy
    Sep 11, 2007 at 10:52 am

    Hi. That is very good info! I bought a wireless card to install in my dell and I can’t get the tower open…the screws have weird heads and one side looks like it should just pop off…won’t do it so now i feel stupid. I have installled components before on my other computers and I could open the tower with no problem…maybe someone here can help me???? I unplug any and all electric products before I mess with them…too busy to die…ha ha…
    Hope someone has an idea about how I should get this open…thanks in advance!! It is a Dimension 2400…yeah older model but, perfect for grandkids.

  • Kiven
    Sep 12, 2007 at 11:53 am

    Hi Peggy,

    Here is a useful tip for opening your Dell 2400

    “If you are going to perform your own Dell Dimension 2400 memory upgrades you will want to first disconnect the system from the wall, as well as any peripherals. Open the computer cover by pressing the cover release button at the back of the unit. The cover should easily lift off. If it does not, lightly nudge the cover to the right and left, then try pressing the release button again.”

    i got it from here: http://www.upgradememory.com/Dell_Dimension_2400_Memory_Upg_W47C15878.cfm?NBP=1

    Hope that helps!!

  • Kiven
    Sep 12, 2007 at 11:59 am

    Here’s one with a graphical diagram on how to open a 2400

    http://episteme.arstechnica.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/77909585/m/630008833831

  • Rich
    Oct 30, 2007 at 12:41 pm

    I have a model railroad hobby shop where we also assemble the electronic boards for some DCC boards(digital operation of your model railroad setup). We have two small assembly stations where the components are sorted and the boards are assembled. Our technicians wear a wrist strap but on their ankle to keep their hands/arms free. The ground strap is attached to the ground lead from the anti static mat on the table and the swivel stool they sit on. They also remove their shoes (sock only), we are on vinyl flooring and this also helps to keep static down from insulated and leather soles. Sweaters, especially wool are not allowed.
    This may be over kill for the one-timer but if you are a hobbyist its worth it. We have never had a problem.

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