preparing to build a computer

[cheese321]

I heard that before building a computer, you need to discharge by wearing an electrostatic wrist strap? Is it possible to just wear a latex glove? Also, does anyone know a good website with the most recent step by step guide to building a computer? thanks

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by cheese321 I heard that before building a computer, you need to discharge by wearing an electrostatic wrist strap? Is it possible to just wear a latex glove?

Wearing a glove makes building a computer almost impossible. To discharge the static electricity that may be built up in you just touch something metal prior to assembling the computer and then try to stay in contact with the metal chassis while you're working.

Originally Posted by cheese321 Also, does anyone know a good website with the most recent step by step guide to building a computer? thanks

This web site has a "Build Your Own Computer" assembly guide.

Here's another guide that has pictures.

Cricket

[cheese321]

thanks for the advice!

[cheese321]

On the Intel website, I saw a video on how to install the cpu and the person was wearing those thick gloves and he put the mobo on an alumimum foil. I thought you're suppose to put the mobo on the mobo box and you don't have to wear any gloves.

http://www.intel.com/cd/channel/rese...nce/100617.htm

[shadowpr]

like Cricket said, you don't need to wear gloves. and using the MB box is perfect. That's where i put my MB while i attached everything needed and until i was ready to instal it into the case.

[cheese321]

ok thanks. When people say to place the mobo on the mobo box, do they mean to place it inside the box on top of that dark gray soft sponge type surface?

[perkster]

those gloves are anti-static gloves and very expensive. i plugged my PSU in but had plug off, so it was earthed and before i touched any component i touched the PSU and the case metal and didnt have any problems.

[LeftyAce]

When people say to place the mobo on the mobo box, do they mean to place it inside the box on top of that dark gray soft sponge type surface?

No, just put the motherboard directly on top of the cardboard on the outside of the mb box. The cardboard isn't conductive, so you can power up the motherboard while it's sitting on the box to test out core components. If you do that on an anti-static bag or on aluminum foil, you'll fry it.

[Dswissmiss]

Lefty: Thats what I always thought and did, but I'm pretty sure I read some official instruction (perhaps a mobo guide) that said to put it on the anti-static bag.
What you and Cricket say makes more sense though, I'll try to find where I read that though.

[LeftyAce]

Putting it on the anti static bag might be ok if you don't turn it on. If you turn it on, the conductive nature of the bag (that's what makes it anti static) WILL fry the board. Pleeeeease don't do that :-)

Do let us know what you find out, but I've done 4 builds and 2 rebuilds just on the cardboard with no problems...

[Dswissmiss]

For whatever its worth, I trust you...don't worry about me going Jimmy Hendrix on my mobo

I was just wondering how an official instruction manual could be so off, but what you say about turning it on vs. leaving it off makes sense. I'll post back if I find it.

EDIT: Well, ok. I just watched part of that video posted by cheese321 and he did put it on the anti-static wrap. No sound (I'm at work), but I hope he specified not to turn it on.

[Katreat]

I expect that is the situation. They were probably recommending building it on the anti static sleeve and not figuring on firing it up. I guess placing it on an anti static bag for build might provide a small measure of additional safty if the builder was carrying a charge. But I agree with lefty completely about fireing it up. Only post it on a non-cunductive surface.

Kat