Grounding myself

[Guest]

Hi,
I am about to install a new memory module to my laptop. the problem I am in
a carpeted area and want to ground myself in order not to damage the new
module.
is there a way to solve this issue? I dont have desktop to use to do this job.

thanks

Nader

 

[Ted Zieglar]

You have nothing in your place that's higher than the carpet?

 

[David Candy]

Touch the case. It's grounded. You never unplug computer when working on them but just turn the power point switch off.

 

[Merlin]

"David Candy" <.> wrote in message
Touch the case. It's grounded. You never unplug computer when working on
them but just turn the power point switch off.

Thanks for the tip, I never thought of that. I always unplugged my PC's when
working on them. But does that also apply to laptops?

 

[David Candy]

Probably not. They are low voltage with external power. No earth? Touch a tab while doing it. Modern ICs are not as static sensitive as older ICs, which were very sensitive.

 

[deebs]

Probably not. They are low voltage with external power. No earth? Touch a tab while doing it. Modern ICs are not as static sensitive as older ICs, which were very sensitive.

Sorry, I can't resist it but:

OK, you're grounded and must be back home for 9 pm!

 

[Leythos]

Hi,
I am about to install a new memory module to my laptop. the problem I am in
a carpeted area and want to ground myself in order not to damage the new
module.
is there a way to solve this issue? I dont have desktop to use to do this job.

Leave the PSU plugged in and touch the case, don't shuffle your feet,
stand in one place. Unplug the PSU when doing cards, but memory seems to
be fine, drives also don't seem to be impacted, some AGP and PCI cards
can be a problem, but I think it's just dropping the screw down in the
card slot/area that gets most problems.

If you discharge the static, unless you move around a lot, you should
not have to keep the power cord connected after touching the case.

While may of todays devices are "less" static damage prone, it's not
always the case. I've seen LSI and VLSI chips zapped by someone moving
across a carpeted floor in the Winter.... Touching the case, while the
power is still connected to a proper ground, is the easiest method.

In the days of ESD training we had 1M ohm resistor attached to a
bracelet (tight band) that was grounded - I think they use 1m ohm to 20m
ohms in devices now.

 

[ChrisC]

Err, aren't most laptop cases made of plastic? Not a good conductor me
thinks....
Try and see if there is a heating or water feed pie nearby, they, at least
in the UK, have to be earthed....
ChrisC

 

[Leythos]

Err, aren't most laptop cases made of plastic? Not a good conductor me
thinks....

Yes, and my post was not intended to be taken for a laptop type device -
or I would not have mentioned cards, drives, memory, etc...

Try and see if there is a heating or water feed pie nearby, they, at least
in the UK, have to be earthed....

The kitchen sink (or bathroom) should do also.

ChrisC

 

[ChrisC]

Hi Leythos, the original poster, if you were addressing them, said they were
putting additional memory into a laptop, that all I meant. No offence
intended
ChrisC

Err, aren't most laptop cases made of plastic? Not a good conductor me
thinks....

Yes, and my post was not intended to be taken for a laptop type device -
or I would not have mentioned cards, drives, memory, etc...

Try and see if there is a heating or water feed pie nearby, they, at
least
in the UK, have to be earthed....

The kitchen sink (or bathroom) should do also.