Static Risk?

[echrisinger]

So today, I was putting together all my parts for my PC
I was playing it safe and using a static wristband type deal, connected to a piece of metal on my case.
So, for the most part, I had my static wristband on. However when I went to go get some parts off the dining room table, I had my bare feet on carpet. I believe I put my hands on the motherboard without touching metal or anything *I think*. However I wasn't like scraping my feet, and it was a very short amount of time on the carpet before going back to tile. Also my CPU wasn't installed at the time I don't think (although I may have touched it w/o a static wrist strap later, but not after being on carpet).
I didn't feel any static transfer to the mobo/cpu, and I only touched the mobo w/o the wrist strap a few times :P

I'm pretty worried :,[
Also, I cant test it since I get my thermal paste tomorrow, and am putting on the CPU cooler then and the video card/hooking it all up, and then I get my OS 4 days later.
Is there any way I could test this w/o my OS? :/

[edfair]

Very unlikely you have a static discharge issue. There are hundreds of ways you can screw up a computer and static would probably be on the bottom of the list if it even made the list at all.

Those who have been around computers for a while generally don't bother with the straps as the chips that were most susceptable to discharge issues are not present any more.

There are precautions you can take, mostly mentioned elsewhere, but in the process of building or repairing systems for over 30 years I've violated every one many times without problems.

[johnkon32]

Well, it would be impossible to damage anything. Everything should be alright. And in case of a discharge, you would have felt it; which you didn't because everything is supposed to be okay. To be honest, I have been assembling/disassembling hardware parts for a long time, and I have never used a wristband; nothing went wrong.

By the way, you can boot using a Linux Distribution like Ubuntu or Fedora. They come in Live CDs so that they won't make changes to your hard drive if you don't install them. Remember that Windows isn't the only OS out there :P

[jdeb]

It is a good thing that you are taking precautions against ESD and you should be o.k. based on your post.

I use an anti static mat and for all my builds because I do a lot of them. I only use the strap and mat when I am off -site and in an industrial environment or a dry home. A lot of techs do not use them which is fine for them but I always take the side of precaution. I have also been in homes where the air is dry (winter time) and every metal thing you touch gives you a little poke, the strap is a must in those environments as well. So my point is, I just don't tell people, "don't use them because I have never had an issue." It is a real issue and preventative measure can save you money.

[echrisinger]

I <3 you guys
*Phew*
-----------------
Guess I'll see you on PC in no time!

[strollin]

One reason why you hear so many 1st hand accounts that say they've never used the mats and straps (I'm as guilty of that as anyone) and have never had a problem is because ESD doesn't necessarily cause any failures right away. It tends to weaken junctures within components and can lead to early failures of those parts. The only way to see damage caused by ESD is via a microscope.

If a component is weakened now but doesn't actually fail for 6 months, it's doubtful anyone would associate that failure with possible ESD damage when the computer was first assembled. I've worked on lots of electronic equipment in the last 40 years, most times without the benefit of anti-ESD mats and straps. I can't say for sure I ever caused any damage but I can't say for sure I didn't either.

You should definitely take precautions but I also wouldn't worry too much about it.

[Bronxbomber90]

Don't sweat it bro you should be ok. I was on marble floor and my work desk was made of wood when I started building mine. I also was seating down in a metal chair I had. I guess I was grounded the whole time. But there were times when I would do something that would cause me to charge up and touch my mobo. But everything ended up ok.

Just in case one of your components doesn't work just simply returned for another one right away. Good luck