Ground myself?! Also, requesting general advice.

[ZenMonkey]

Ok...I will soon be exchanging a motherboard. I've done ram before and the occasional (yeah, right--live every 6 mos.) video card upgrade. I've even attempted installing a new hard drive. I've always been leery of the motherboard. It seems like a tougher job, but I will attempt it.

I need to ground myself when messing with stuff, right? Don't mean to sound like a newbie (well, maybe I am) at installing hardware, but I've never installed so much at once (mobo, ram, graphics card, chip, fan etc). So what's the easiest way to prevent static electricity from screwing something up?

Also, any general advice for this surgery I'm about to perform on my rig?

ZM

 

[Ryan]

If you live in a high humidity area, don't worry about grounding yourself. Static electricity is almost non-existant. I have never had to ground myself, and I even assymbal (sp?) my rigs on my carpet floor. Just make sure you touch some of the medal on your case every once and a while, and you should be fine.

 

[ZenMonkey]

High humidity? Well now you're talking. I live in Texas

Thanks for the reply (and keep em coming if you guys have any more suggestions)

ZM

 

[Wolfsraider]

watch the way the power led hdd etc the little wires on the cluster coming from the power switch as these are a pain

they fit both ways but if you put them on the wrong no post no lights etc...

take your tim complete each task completely and then move on

make sure the motherboard risers are lined up properly if it uses them

use common sense dont force anything

take a break if you get fustrated lol 20 minute walks are great

hope this helps
mike

 

[farmercal]

Touch the chassis of the case just before you attempt to put in the chip, RAM, etc. to ensure that you don't have any static in your body (just a precautionary I always use).

Be very careful when mounting the HSF as a slipped screwdriver can damage the motherboard. Don't be afraid of installing it just be careful and you will be fine.

I built my first rig from scratch 6 months ago (scared to death that I would hose something up), now I can build them with ease. It's not really a big deal, just takes some practice.

Good Luck

 

[Mavrick007]

Your best bet is to install most things on the mobo (like cpu, cpu hsf, ram) before you put it in the case. Try laying the mobo out on the static bag and ground yourself to the metal chassis of your case. Good luck.

 

[bunker]

Originally posted by: Mavrick007
Your best bet is to install most things on the mobo (like cpu, cpu hsf, ram) before you put it in the case. Try laying the mobo out on the static bag and ground yourself to the metal chassis of your case. Good luck.

I've heard this is one of the worst things you can do as the static builds up on the outside of anti-static bags. Myth or fact?

 

[WhoDeeny]

Originally posted by: bunker

Originally posted by: Mavrick007
Your best bet is to install most things on the mobo (like cpu, cpu hsf, ram) before you put it in the case. Try laying the mobo out on the static bag and ground yourself to the metal chassis of your case. Good luck.

I've heard this is one of the worst things you can do as the static builds up on the outside of anti-static bags. Myth or fact?

I don't know about that but whenever I've done it the stuff always gets in the way so I only put on the CPU/HSF before installing the Mobo and often times don't even do that...