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Under the Hood

Under the Hood of Your Computer

Before you take the cover off of your computer please read the following. There are several safety issues that will minimize the chances of hurting yourself or your computer.

A computer, with its cover on, is a remarkably robust device. It is very difficult to mishandle a modern computer, from the outside, in such a way as to cause damage to the internal components.

Opening the computer exposes both it and you to a myriad of hazards. From nasty cuts from very sharp edges on the sheet metal and circuit cards, to potentially lethal high voltage inside the power supply and its power switch, there are numerous ways to hurt or kill yourself. Over 300 volts can be found inside the power supply of most computers. Most color monitors have areas of over 20,000 volts inside, even when they are turned off and unplugged. Other computer peripherals such as printers, scanners, etc. can also have hazardous areas inside them.

Even with all the dangers to you, it is far more likely you will hurt the computer, than it will hurt you. Improperly handling or installing a card in the computer can cause damage to it or other components. Misalignment of a card in its socket can cause the card or motherboard, or both, to expire the instant power is applied. Simply mishandling an internal component can cause problems. Fingerprints on connectors can cause intermittent trouble, simply touching certain cards, after walking across the floor can transfer enough static electricity to ruin or prematurely age the component. Static electricity, even so low that you can't feel it, can wreck havoc with today's large-scale microelectronics.

All computer boards should be left in their anti-static bags until just before you install them in the computer. You should first wash your hands and insure your body is connected to a good ground through a >1 Megohm resistance. Use a professional wrist type grounding-strap, not a homemade device. Improper grounding of yourself could cause a lethal shock hazard.

In my years in the computer business, I have seen thousands of computer problems created by the improper handling and installation of circuit boards, hard drives, CD-ROMs, modems, and other devices. Many computer professionals don't even fully understand the proper care and handling of the parts inside a computer, and by their ignorance, mishandle a part that should run for over ten years and reduce its life span to less than one year.

Points To Remember

Try to Wash Your Hands First:

Try to Wash, and dry your hands before you start working on a computer. I have never used a Ground Strap because after washing my hands I would ALWAYS touch the frame of the computer before I would do anything to it.

Use an Approved Ground Strap:

Never use a homemade ground strap. Improper ground straps can pose a shock hazard.

Leave Parts in their Anti-Static containers until ready to Install:

Never open or examine new computer parts unless you are properly grounded. Never hand a part to anyone that is not also properly grounded. Never leave unprotected parts out on a table where someone can walk by and pick it up.

Turn the Computer Off:

Many modern computers are never completely off. Check the back of your computer, near the power cord, for a power switch. If your computer has one, turn it OFF while you are adding or removing components.

If your computer has no rear power switch, plug your computer into a power-strip, leave the strip OFF but plugged into a grounded outlet.

Having your computer plugged into a grounded outlet but completely powered off, offers a path to ground for any static zaps. Remember to turn the power switch(es) back on before you restart your computer.

Don't run your computer with the covers off:

Computers are not properly protected from static zaps "ESD" without their covers. Computers are designed for best cooling airflow with their covers in place. An uncovered computer can overheat.