If I removed my motherboard to install this nice new heatsink, what are the chances I will short anything out and how can I take all the static electricity outta me? I have never taken out or installed a motherboard before
Just touch a big chunk of metal on your case and you will 'discharge'. although i think chances of static damage are really low, hardware can be far more robust then people think. If you have a motherboard anti static bag then place it on then while you install your new HSF, or just on a cardboard box or something. Just take care when taking it out and putting it back in the case. plus be careful with any tools you use.
You could get yourself one of those lanyard things that you wear on your wrist and then clip to the computer's case. Or you could simply touch the case or power supply while you are messing with things. Try not to drag your feet across the carpet
So your saying my chances are slim and I can just place it on a cardboard box? Also my vid card should be fine just sitting somewhere as long as there is no static sources right? Ive installed coutless pci/agp cards before so I trust myself there.
keep your psu plugged into the wall, but not turned on at the wall, that way its still grounded, but not on . Then just touch the metal casing of the psu and it should remove all static from your body i just place my mobo straight onto my wooden desk when changing cpu/heatsink
Pnerf, I don't think I've ever managed to short out a component through static, even at work where I may occasionally play fast and loose with them Occasionally if I'm feeling conscientious about static I touch the unpainted part of a radiator, I have no clue whether that actually grounds me but it makes me feel better Rock on, placebo effect!
