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Recently a local computer vendor told one of my customers that they (the customer) did not need a wrist strap or anti-static device to install memory in their computer. SAY WHAT!!!! |
| That vendor immediately went off my buy
from list of local vendors. Their comment also helps explain why
some of my other customers have been having random problems with the
computers that had been purchased at that location. If a local,
cheap, computer manufacturer or local shop does not use some type of
anti-static control when working on or assembling PCs, Stay Away
From Them! So what is Electrostatic Discharge and why do we need to protect our equipment from it? Electrostatic Discharge is what happens when two objects (can be two people) pass a sudden jolt of electricity between them. No, this is not the technical definition. The technical definition is not as understandable as our experiences with shocking each other. Unfortunately, it takes hundreds even thousands of volts for a person to see the shock; it takes a fairly high current to feel the shock; it only takes above 5 volts or above 12 volts and not much current to do damage to a computer component. We (people) get multiple discharges every day and never know it. Most of those discharges have enough voltage/current to damage electronic parts. Note, I said damage. The part might not go out completely, the part may even be ok for a time. Then random errors start happening. Errors that make no sense and are impossible to track down. Eventually the part may completely fail, it may not. Meanwhile you have lost time, productivity, valuable data... Money. This should make one think 2, 3, 4, .... times before grabbing a memory module out of its anti-static casing or bag and jamming it into a computer main board. It should also make one think about how they plug drives in and out. In fact it may even cause one to consider learning how to use a wrist strap and how to ground everything properly while working on or in a system. If there is any questions or you need help, you can always contact me. WronkerRoom.com Email: Consulting@WronkerRoom.com
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