Anti-Static precautions when building system?

[Poop Shoe]

Hey guys,
I am about to build my system and was wondering about static precautions. The last system I built, I just left my old system off, but plugged in and touched the case every few minutes to ground myself. Do I need to do anything else, or more drastic? Or can I forget about it and just start slapping parts in the case?
Thanks
Shoe

 

[flamingspinach]

If you're really averse to spending any money, I'd advise you to completely unplug the system, and hold on to the metal part of the case. Don't do this stuff on a carpet obviously...

If you don't mind spending a couple of bucks, I'd go for one of those little wrist straps things. It has a metal pad on the inside that touches your skin and is connected to clip wire which you can clip onto your case, which causes less hassle than having to be always touching the case...

But unplugging the power supply doesn't cost anything and is something you really shouldn't have a reason not to do.

-fs

 

[GoSharks]

actually the best way to do it is to plug in (into the wall outlet) the psu/case, but flip the switch so that there is no power going into the psu. then just keep contact with the case / touch the case before you touch any part.

 

[nineball9]

I leave the system plugged in, but powered off at the surge suppressor. That way, the case has a direct ground.

When doing major or extensive work inside the case I wear a wrist strap, but that's only my personal preference.

 

[flamingspinach]

Oh, heh, I guess that's true - yep, power off the PSU, but leave it plugged in. I rescind my former statement. Those wrist straps are pretty handy though.

-fs

 

[Poop Shoe]

Thanks guys.
So...Either plug the power supply into the wall/surge supressor and leave the switch on the back to off and keep touching the case to ground my self, or buy the little wrist strap and connect IT to to the case and plug the PS in and leave it off? Right?
Where can I get one of those little wrist thingys? Rat shack? CompUSA? BB, CC? Local hole-in-the-wall computer store (I live in ohio)?

Thanks again...
Shoe

 

[Farmer]

I work on carpet surfaces with socks on, and never take any precautions, and none of my systems have ever been damaged, so I doubt yours will.

 

[KamiXkaze]

The wrist straps are quiet usefull and they cost next to nothing I got mines from radioshack for 4 bucks

 

[flamingspinach]

A wrist strap for ~$10 from NewEgg, complete with warranty

 

[Poop Shoe]

Nice, but I think I couldmpass on the warrety...
Shoe

 

[PingSpike]

I used to wear a wrist strap, but I was always snagging it and having to reset it as I moved around the case. I couldn't stand being tied to something. Now I just ground out on the PSU. I haven't had any problems.

 

[dethman]

i have been building computers for 15 years, i have never used any static precautions whatsoever, and have had zero problems.

 

[w00t]

but before you put a part in you grab the componet than touch the case, than put the componet in? that is one way i here you can do it but for me somthing so expensive and i am lazzy enough not to get one. you have to be insane putting togather a 1,000 dollar computer with no antic static strap. its like running around with a bomb on you while your next to fire.

 

[flamingspinach]

Um, NO. You touch the case, THEN pick up the part O_O Otherwise what's the point?

-fs

 

[PingSpike]

Originally posted by: flamingspinach
Um, NO. You touch the case, THEN pick up the part O_O Otherwise what's the point?

-fs

Exactly.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Originally posted by: flamingspinach
Oh, heh, I guess that's true - yep, power off the PSU, but leave it plugged in. I rescind my former statement. Those wrist straps are pretty handy though.
-fs

No, ALWAYS UNPLUG.

The wrist straps are nifty, not 100% necesary if you are careful to keep yourself grounded to the chassis, but they do leave both hands free to work, and you'll look more "professional" to clients if you're wearing one, IMO. They should be tested on an occasional basis with a DVM to make sure that they are still conductive and the wire inside hasn't broken. I also recommend an anti-static mat, if nothing else, it will prevent damage to the surface that you are working on from sharp metal edges, and makes it safer to work on boxen anywhere, even on a rug surface.

 

[ATW]

Anytime I'm building one I do it on a linoleum or tile floor with shoes on, the cord plugged into the power supply. But I'm always tinkering around inside the case, removing parts and whatnot on a carpet floor with socks on and haven't fried anything.

 

[DanRydell]

I just make sure to touch the case before I do anything and haven't had any problems.

 

[TimboAA]

Just be smart about static electricity. I'm sure you remember being a kid a rubbing your feet across a carpet and then zapping a sibling or touching a door knob and getting zapped. The zap is what neutralizes the charges. aka grounding yourself because you are positively charged. So ideally, like the other people said, don't do it on carpet, touch the metal chassis, etc.

Or you could stand naked after completely shaving your body on a metal floor. lol.

In the winter time you can feel static electricity on you, especially if you wear fleece or sweaters. The dry air doesn't help.

 

[shoRunner]

I've built many computers, and work every day fixing computers and have never heard or experienced any problems with static. I've even purposely shocked memory, and then used it just to see. I really wouldn't worry.

 

[uOpt]

The reason why many people are fine for years with no precaution (on carpet and whatnot) is that they don't move.

You have to actually built up static electricity. If you just sit/kneel there not moving except for your hands high above the carpet you don't build up.

However, a newbie can easily be a lot more hectic, e.g. pick up the $520 GeForce 6800 Ultra and run over to a computer in the other room to google how these "screw" thingies are supposed to be used. Then he rushes back, slurfing over the carpet and the first thing he touches his computer with is the other end of the video card. ZAPP.

So, a high recommendation for "newbies": get one of those wristbands for now and/or be careful to always keep the components out of your hands while moving around. You fiddle without the compnent, then you pick it up, plug it in. If you need to do something else, you park it on the static protection bag.it came in. Touch the case before you pick it up again. Once you practice that enough you can get rid of the wristband.

 

[imported_NoGodForMe]

I also built my systems on carpet and I've never had any problems.

When I pick up the CPU or GPU, I touch the case first.

 

[meltdown75]

The image of the newb running to the compu with the 6800 ultra in hand is priceless. got a good little chuckle out of that! i also like the intentionally shocking ram. ahhahahaha - too much time on your hands?

i wanted badly to say i've worked on systems in lightning storms, under trees, flying a kite with a key on the string and wearing a fleece sweater with long feathered mullet hair, but as risky as I get is working on the carpet sans wrist strap. Never had any probs - I always touch the case first though, or keep a hand on it in some way.

 

[obeseotron]

I never, ever use one and haven't fried a single piece of hardware (from static anyway). I mean I don't rub the carpet and then start working, most of the time ill touch the side of the case, but I don't even do that a lot of the time.