ESD! ! ! ESD! ! ! ESD! ! ! (Building a Computer)

[Kevin.Stumpf2010]

Ok, This is really starting to bother me just a little bit.. I am seeing lots of post from Noobs whom are building their first computer, and fellow TF members are giving GREAT/AMAZING advice, but everyone keeps leaving out of the most important part of building a computer. Make sure you protect yourself and your hardware with an ESD band (Electro Static Discharge) It is very common for people to take the RAM out of packages place it down, walk away for a minute, pick it back up and ZAP! You just fried the chips! And what stinks, is that you can't return it for a new one. All computer stores know why a brand new stick of RAM doesn't work. It's because people are not taking the proper precautions when building/replacing parts. You can buy an ESD band from NewEgg.com for 13.99$. It may seem very minuet (don't know if I spelled that right, lol) But it is worth it in the end. You can also buy ESD shoe covers and ESD mats. PLEASE pass this message around when you see noobs posting forums on building computers. It is a very important step! Thanks!

 

[Slaymate]

Re: ESD! ! ! ESD! ! ! ESD! ! ! (BUILDING A COMPUTER)

While I won't tell anyone not to buy a ESD band, I've never used one and I've never had a component damaged from ESD. All you have to do is ground yourself to the case's metal frame before touching a component. It's also a good idea not to drag your feet while wearing just socks in a carpeted area.

 

[Yami]

Re: ESD! ! ! ESD! ! ! ESD! ! ! (BUILDING A COMPUTER)

I've built dozens of computers and never needed an anti-static band. Didn't need one for my first couple of computers, either.
That's not to say it's bad advice, ofc. Just not needed IMO

minuet

Confusingly, it's spelt the same as 'minute'.

 

[MindoverMaster]

Re: ESD! ! ! ESD! ! ! ESD! ! ! (BUILDING A COMPUTER)

Ditto. I built computers for the last 7 years. Never once used a band. Just be sure to be grounded to the case by touching a metal part of your case, PSU is a great one.

 

[Roark]

Re: ESD! ! ! ESD! ! ! ESD! ! ! (BUILDING A COMPUTER)

I used an ESD band the first time I put a computer together, and that was the last time.
They are useful if you're lazy/forgetful, but otherwise unnecessary if you bother to regularly ground yourself.

Also for people building a computer who haven't done so before I always link these two guides:
Build a PC - Introduction to Building your PC - PCitYourself.com
Newegg TV: How To Build a Computer - Part 2 - The Build - YouTube

Go to 5:45 on the video for ESD info, or this quote on the animated guide:

The easiest way to avoid static damage is by using anti-static products, such as an anti-static wrist band. However you can still build a PC without any specialist anti-static products.

To remove static electricity (also known as 'grounding yourself') from your body, touch a metallic object that is grounded , for example the outer casing of a PSU which is plugged into the power (it doesn't need to be switched on).

 

[Kevin.Stumpf2010]

Re: ESD! ! ! ESD! ! ! ESD! ! ! (BUILDING A COMPUTER)

I've built dozens of computers and never needed an anti-static band. Didn't need one for my first couple of computers, either.

Hey Yami, To be honest I have never used one either; However I have met lots of Noobs whom have tried to build computers and have fried certain parts with ESD. It was really meant for the personnel whom have never built one before and are clueless on what can go wrong. Thanks for the spell check!! ;-)

 

[Slaymate]

Re: ESD! ! ! ESD! ! ! ESD! ! ! (BUILDING A COMPUTER)

I have met lots of Noobs whom have tried to build computers and have fried certain parts with ESD.

How do you know certain parts were fried by ESD? The parts could of been bad before they were opened or since you mentioned noobs the parts may not even be damaged at all. In your 1st post you said the store won't take back a part damaged by ESD. Just how is a store able to determine if a part has been damaged by ESD? I can tell you right now that they can't tell, and I don't believe the manufacturer is able to determine if ESD damaged a part either. And if the manufacturer can tell I don't think they can tell when it happened. The damage could of happened during packaging at the plant or during an electrical storm while shipping.

 

[Kevin.Stumpf2010]

Re: ESD! ! ! ESD! ! ! ESD! ! ! (BUILDING A COMPUTER)

How do you know certain parts were fried by ESD? The parts could of been bad before they were opened or since you mentioned noobs the parts may not even be damaged at all. In your 1st post you said the store won't take back a part damaged by ESD. Just how is a store able to determine if a part has been damaged by ESD? I can tell you right now that they can't tell, and I don't believe the manufacturer is able to determine if ESD damaged a part either. And if the manufacturer can tell I don't think they can tell when it happened. The damage could of happened during packaging at the plant or during an electrical storm while shipping.

Hey Slaymate, You are 100% correct and I won't disagree with you at all in your statement. There is no way to actually tell if a component was damaged from ESD or if it was damaged from shipping or any other way. From what I have personally seen, stores will not take back a component that was fully packaged in Anti-Static wrap after it has been opened and wont work. I have also only seen this with components that do not have casing as many new components have now a days. The only real way to tell if it was damaged from ESD is to send it back to the manufacturer to have them test the chips, as you stated though it could have occurred at the plant. Like I said, I will not disagree with you at the least, but it is good advice for all the Noobs whom have NEVER touched the inside of a computer and are wanting to build one for the first time.. Oh, I missed your first post to this thread.. Lol Building a computer in socks and rubbing your feet on the carpet most definitely is NOT a good idea!! Good advice there!!!!

 

[jasonalwaysready]

i have never used one. but assuming you arent petting a cat in wool socks on a carpet while rubbing latex balloons on your head, youll be ok. and if you are building your computer under those conditions, just touch something that's grounded between petting the cat and rubbing the balloon..

 

[Kevin.Stumpf2010]

i have never used one. but assuming you arent petting a cat in wool socks on a carpet while rubbing latex balloons on your head, youll be ok. and if you are building your computer under those conditions, just touch something that's grounded between petting the cat and rubbing the balloon..

I wish there was a *Best response* button for these threads. You would have had it won!!!!