My first build. I have a question about static discharge.

[JoeFaheyx]

Hi, My computer parts finally came in! I am going to use MechBgon's (hope I got it right) guide. I have a question though concerning the saftey of the parts. I know that hard drives are very sensitive to static discharge. To ground yourself, it says to touch the inside of a plugged in case. Well if I am making a computer, and the case hasn't been used, will I ground myself just by touching the inside? I dont think so, but I am a newbie to this stuff. I just want to be sure I don't damage parts. THANKS!

 

[bobsmith1492]

Just plug in your power supply, turn it off with the switch on the back, and hold onto the metal on the supply.

 

[JoeFaheyx]

Alright, thanks Bob. One other thing though, it it really bad to build on a rug? Should you build on a desk or something?

 

[dc5]

Originally posted by: JoeFahey
Alright, thanks Bob. One other thing though, it it really bad to build on a rug? Should you build on a desk or something?

with your body sliding around the rug, it could build a small static charge. i'd suggest build on a table or something similar.

 

[JoeFaheyx]

Alright, thanks.

 

[JoeFaheyx]

This is a little off topic from the static, and I'm I don't want to crowd the forum with too many newbie questions, but I was wondering when you build the computer, can you install all the parts, and then just turn it on and go through BIOS and everything else to run the PC? Or as you go, shoulkd you run test as suggested in MechBgon's guide. THANKS AGAIN!

 

[dnuggett]

Yuo can put all the parts in and go, but being new to building, you may not know what you have goofed unless you go step by step test by test.

 

[agnitrate]

I'm not sure exactly what mech's guide is (perhaps you could link), but I'm sure his way will provide you with the correct procedure. If you mean a 'test' run just to make sure everything is working then I'll tell you what I do.

I first install the CPU and RAM while the motherboard is outside of the case on a table ( I don't like watching my motherboard bend when I have to push the RAM in ). The minimum you need for the machine to POST (Power on self-test) is the CPU, RAM, and video card installed. If you're able to get into BIOS from here and everything looks OK temperature-wise (no extraordinarily large temps), go ahead and put it in the case and repeat. If it doesn't work now, you know it's most likely the case grounding out or something similar with the case. Go ahead and add in the rest of your peripheral cards now and continue on with your install.

As a side note, I've NEVER had an issue with static discharge even when working on carpet. I remember there was this old TNT2 video card I had that I thought would surely die after it was rubbed repeatedly on the carpet and was being blatantly mishandled and it still works to this day. I've always tried to remember touching something metal before I go digging around in my case, but I know I've forgotten at some point in time and I've never had any issues. So long as you don't feel the little shock from static, you should be fine

Hope this helps and good luck with your build!

-silver

 

[JoeFaheyx]

Thanks. Here's the link to the guide.

http://www.omnicast.net/~tmcfa...uides/build/index.html

One last question though, you say install the CPU and RAM outside of the case, do I have cords plugged in or anything? Can I just put all the parts like the CPU and other cards into the mobo outside of the case without any cords? Then just put it in and attach all the cords? Thanks

-JoeFahey....A.K.A, The Noob Master

 

[Matthias99]

Originally posted by: JoeFahey
Thanks. Here's the link to the guide.

http://www.omnicast.net/~tmcfa...uides/build/index.html

One last question though, you say install the CPU and RAM outside of the case, do I have cords plugged in or anything? Can I just put all the parts like the CPU and other cards into the mobo outside of the case without any cords? Then just put it in and attach all the cords? Thanks

-JoeFahey....A.K.A, The Noob Master

No, you can just put the parts together outside the case and then install the motherboard (with CPU/HSF/RAM already in place), then hook up the power cables, etc. This makes it MUCH easier to get everything in if you are working in a cramped case. You won't be able to install PCI cards outside of the case, because they actually screw into the side of the case to hold them in place (well, I guess you could, but you'd probably knock them loose while installing the motherboard and have to reinstall them anyway).

Many newer (and nicer) cases also have a removable (slide-out) motherboard tray. In that case, pull out the tray, install the motherboard and parts on it, then slide the whole tray back in and connect the cables. Way easier than trying to squeeze parts in while the board is already in the case.

 

[Navid]

Static discharge happens based on the relativity of potential. You can be charged up to 1000V (with respect to ground) and nothing will go wrong if you touch a sensitive device if the device is also charged to the same 1000V potential.

On the other hand, you may ground yourself and be at 0V potential. Then, you touch a sensitive device that happens to be charged (this can happen if you slide an IC inside a cheap plastic container) and damage the device instantly. That is why a wrist strap is used for grounding. A wrist strap grounds you through a resistor. That resistor limits the current flowing through your body and the device. That to some degree protects the device. Also, the devices must be kept on a special material that does not allow the device to charge up. You can see that kind of material on work benches in a semiconductor lab.

So, you are absolutely right. It does not help to ground yourself if the components are not connected to ground. If you have a hard drive on a table and you want to touch it, you should always first touch its case. Usually, the case of each equipment is connected to its ground plain.

If you have a PC, which is unplugged, nothing inside is grounded. But, you can discharge yourself safely by first touching the case of the PC. All ground plains (CPU, memory, hard drive, graphics card, ....) are connected to the PC case.

ESD kills (semiconductor devices)! Don't listen to advices like "ESD does not do anything". It's like saying "I have driven my car for 10 years and I have never had an accident; don't bother putting a seat belt on"!

 

[agnitrate]

Originally posted by: JoeFahey
Thanks. Here's the link to the guide.

http://www.omnicast.net/~tmcfa...uides/build/index.html

One last question though, you say install the CPU and RAM outside of the case, do I have cords plugged in or anything? Can I just put all the parts like the CPU and other cards into the mobo outside of the case without any cords? Then just put it in and attach all the cords? Thanks

-JoeFahey....A.K.A, The Noob Master

I always just push the mobo towards the edge of the table so the video card can be 'seated' properly since it hangs slightly below the motherboard. This is the only card that needs a connector aside from the keyboard so it shouldn't get in the way too much.

You don't have to do this but I do it just to make sure everything works before I go through the trouble of getting it into the case and screwing the whole thing down only to find that something was DOA. I recommend that you install the CPU w/ HSF and RAM and THEN install it into the case though as it simplifies the matter greatly in the long run.

-silver

 

[adurkee]

The main problem with ESD (electrostatic discharge) is that the damage can be hidden. Even if you touch a component and you do not feel a spark does not necessarily mean you did not damage the component. ESD damage is hidden and it can cause parts to slowly fail over time. If I were you I would invest in an anti-static field service kit. The service kit would include an anti-static wrist band, as well as an anti-static mat.

 

[Regs]

You would have to be rubbing your feet on a carpet with wool socks while at the same time rubbing a rubber balloon on top of your head to make a powerful enough static discharge that will threaten your hardware.