Hello folks,
I am DREADFULLY confused!
I had a custom gaming build done about a year and a half ago. Since then I've done my own fan/filter cleaning, fan upgrades, memory upgrades, power supply upgrade, and am about to add a second graphics card to Crossfire( 2x ATI HD 5870).
Can someone please help me and give me the true lowdown on exactly how to combat static discharge, because I'm wondering if I've been doing it wrong the whole time. After reading some of the posts here, I have no idea what the correct approach is. Some people are saying they've never used anything, some people swear by wristsraps, etc.
My confusion comes in that people are saying that in order for a wrist strap to work your PC has to REMAIN PLUGGED IN but with the PSU Switch in the off position.....
This is where I need help. HOW can it be safer to be working inside the case of a PC with anything still plugged in????
Isn't the first golden rule of working on a PC, is that any time the case is open and components are being worked on, is to have the PC completely UNPLUGGED and not attached to anything??? Every tutorial I've ever seen about upgrading a PC says to completely unplug a PC before working on it, and to use some device that grounds you to prevent static discharge.
Have I had this backwards the entire time??? I've successfully put in fans, memory, a PSU, without any apparent problems whatsoever. Everything is working perfectly. Have I unwittingly damaged components and not even known it?
Here's my usual procedure: Before opening my case, I shut down, switch off the PSU, and uplug every connection. With the PC completely unplugged, I work on it on a wooden table in a room that has a tile floor. I use an anti-static wrist strap whenever I am inside the case doing anything, with the exception of when I am just doing cleaning of external fans/filters, or using compressed air to blow out dust, i.e. non-invasive or semi-non invasive cleaning where I'm not in danger of touching any circuitry. But ANY work on any component, I always use the wrist strap. I attach the wrist strap to one of the metal edges of the case itself. The thing is, I'm always careful no matter what I do not to touch any circuitry directly when installing or replacing anything.
So the question is, am I doing this completely wrong? Is the wrist strap serving no purpose the way I do it? Do I need to completely change my procedure for this?
HELP, I am so confused!
Thanks in advance.
I am DREADFULLY confused!
I had a custom gaming build done about a year and a half ago. Since then I've done my own fan/filter cleaning, fan upgrades, memory upgrades, power supply upgrade, and am about to add a second graphics card to Crossfire( 2x ATI HD 5870).
Can someone please help me and give me the true lowdown on exactly how to combat static discharge, because I'm wondering if I've been doing it wrong the whole time. After reading some of the posts here, I have no idea what the correct approach is. Some people are saying they've never used anything, some people swear by wristsraps, etc.
My confusion comes in that people are saying that in order for a wrist strap to work your PC has to REMAIN PLUGGED IN but with the PSU Switch in the off position.....
This is where I need help. HOW can it be safer to be working inside the case of a PC with anything still plugged in????
Isn't the first golden rule of working on a PC, is that any time the case is open and components are being worked on, is to have the PC completely UNPLUGGED and not attached to anything??? Every tutorial I've ever seen about upgrading a PC says to completely unplug a PC before working on it, and to use some device that grounds you to prevent static discharge.
Have I had this backwards the entire time??? I've successfully put in fans, memory, a PSU, without any apparent problems whatsoever. Everything is working perfectly. Have I unwittingly damaged components and not even known it?
Here's my usual procedure: Before opening my case, I shut down, switch off the PSU, and uplug every connection. With the PC completely unplugged, I work on it on a wooden table in a room that has a tile floor. I use an anti-static wrist strap whenever I am inside the case doing anything, with the exception of when I am just doing cleaning of external fans/filters, or using compressed air to blow out dust, i.e. non-invasive or semi-non invasive cleaning where I'm not in danger of touching any circuitry. But ANY work on any component, I always use the wrist strap. I attach the wrist strap to one of the metal edges of the case itself. The thing is, I'm always careful no matter what I do not to touch any circuitry directly when installing or replacing anything.
So the question is, am I doing this completely wrong? Is the wrist strap serving no purpose the way I do it? Do I need to completely change my procedure for this?
HELP, I am so confused!
Thanks in advance.