Hi. I'm not sure if this is the exact right place to post this, but I will anyway. I am installing a new CPU and motherboard next week, and I want to ground myself so I don't shock anything. I have been reading about this and there seems to be many varying opinions. Some say to leave the computer plugged in, others say not to. Here is my dilemma. -I have no hardwood floors near my computer, only carpet, so I definitely need to ground myself. -I don't want to buy a fancy wrist strap. Can I simply wrap an uncovered wire around my wrist and plug the other end into the third prong (ground) of an outlet? Will I electrocute myself, or worse, my computer D ) Thanks for any opinions, I want everything to be perfect for this build.
If your computer is connected to the power outlet and thus the ground/earth of your house then your computer shassis is also a good ground that you can regularly ground yourself by touching. Another tip is to not shuffle around when you are working of ESD sensitive devices. But yeah that is basically what an anti static wrist-strap is although i'd not recommended anyone ever do that - just bad practice.
If you do this make sure you earth yourself on something else as your case will no longer be a good earth source
Ok, now I'm confused. You're saying to plug the PSU in, but turn the power switch in the back of it, off. AND ground myself some other way. How would I do that?
No Jemlerd Dellon said to unplug it, i said if you do this it won't be earthed. I would leave it plugged in, but switched off, thus leaving your case grounded yet safe to work on. [ot] I regularly work on computers without even turning them off anyway, after a few years you get more and more confident, of course confidence could result in accidents so i'd never advise anyone to do any work like this [/ot]
No worries and best of luck! It can be daunting the first time you attempt a PC repair/build but stick at it at soon it becomes second nature
Not all Power supply's have a switch on the back... This is the way I do it, I unplug the power supply then push the front on/off switch to discharge any power left..I too have no wooden floors, so I work on carpet..Next I disconnect the main power connection to the motherboard..I have never had a problem,going on ten years now..
