touching parts like cards

[JoeFaheyx]

when you touch anything with that green surface on it, can you damage the card.....and i kmnow about static discharge. So after i use the anti static wrist wrap, can you touch the green parts of a board? also, when you touch the edges of something like a RAM, do you need to use the anti static discharge wrap? THANKS

 

[Regs]

There's an extreme chance, yes. The odds of you damaging it are rare. Just don't rub your hair with a balloon.

I never once "grounded" myself installing any of my hardware.

 

[JoeFaheyx]

ok, but touching the green part, can smudging with fingers damage it? or is there someway you can damage the green chip without using static? also, is static even an issue if touch the edgeof cards?

 

[Regs]

Not unless you just ate a fudge sunday or worked on your car, no. Risks are very limited.

 

[OdiN]

You can damage parts by improper handling. I'm a technician and I handle parts daily. You can treat them pretty rough...though I wouldn't recommend that. Basically what I would do is just ground yourself to your case befor handling any parts. If you leave your power supply plugged in, all you have to do is touch any metal on the case or power supply and that will discharge any static into the case. From there you won't risk any damage. You don't really need an ESD strap at all...just use your metal case to keep yourself grounded.