Poll of the Day > Apparently if you want to build a computer...

(+) Yeah! (+)

...you have to avoid static electricity coursing through your body. You also have to build in an ANTI-STATIC environment.

It's a good idea, but it's not that serious.

Just get yourself an anti static bracelet, ground it and use that when putting your parts together.
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how are you supposed to know if static electricity is going to shoot out of your hands? Have to touch a doorknob or something? Even with bracelets some safety measure would

Not really. It certainly doesn't hurt, but it's not something you need to do. Especially if you're building it naked and not on carpet. You can pretty much just touch something metal (like say, the computer case) before touching anything sensitive to discharge any static you have built up.

Obviously you're better off with an antistatic strap or mat, but you certainly don't need them.
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Just tap your metal case every now and then.
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Put a few comouters together, friend out more, he never uses a antistatic bracelet pr mats. My faza has to though, he generates a lot of static. So it really depends on you and if your static friendly.
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Never used a static bracelet, and I have always built my computer on carpeting.

Basically just don't move around a lot or shuffle your feet and you will be fine.
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can you just wear gloves ?

You don't have to do that, that's ridiculous.
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just touch the metal computer case every once in awhile. You'll be fine.
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Built my current PC 4 years ago on carpet. I was constantly touching my metal case even though static never noticeably discharged once.
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i've only ever built on carpet. the amount of electricity you can statically discharge will have no effect on computer parts these days.

it hasn't actually mattered for like, more than 10 years.
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Anisoptera posted...

...you have to avoid static electricity coursing through your body. You also have to build in an ANTI-STATIC environment.

Say hi to your local PC repairer for me in a couple of days when you wander in with your hastily assembled new rig, sides off the case with the opening line 'I've done everything correctly, but it won't turn on' lol
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I forgot to buy anti-static bands when I finished buying the parts for my PC so I just didn't bother and it was fine. It's more of a precaution, just don't wear, like, wool socks or something.

At the time I didn't live somewhere that had a computer store nearby though so it was a matter of waiting days for it to ship. Now that I live in civilization I'd probably do it.
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I've always just made a habit of touching metal stuff. An anti-static bracelet won't hurt, but it's not really that much of a hassle to periodically ground yourself.
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The effect is extremely overblown. I've never witnessed or experienced any kind of static damage to a computer.

lol when I built my first pc I didn't even know about that. I became more worried about building pcs after reading about that stuff.
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That_70s_show posted...

just touch the metal computer case every once in awhile. You'll be fine.

Yeah, it's not a big deal at all.

Anisoptera posted...

how are you supposed to know if static electricity is going to shoot out of your hands? Have to touch a doorknob or something? Even with bracelets some safety measure would

a grounded anti static bracelet absolutely works on its own
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I will say though... If you hear the faintest hint of thunder way off in the distance, immediately shut down your computer and pull the line out of your modem. My primary PC is fried :(

Blighboy posted...

Just tap your metal case every now and then.

Yep. Don't waste money on an anti-static strap.

I built my computer next to my kitchen sink and it came out just fine. Don't fret about damaging the parts.

I know what you guys mean, but the thing with static damage to electronics is that it's insidious. if you zap it now, it won't necessarily die now, it will die a year from now for no apparent reason. or you'll be plagued by BSODs once a week or so and wonder why. that kind of thing. it causes micro-level damage that may or may not have an immediate effect, but very likely will have a long term effect.

IIRC there's another similar problem with metallic fibres. (looking it up it's called 'whiskering'.) certain kinds of metals can grow tiny 'whiskers' over time, which then break off, float away, fall on something, and short it out.

helly posted...

it hasn't actually mattered for like, more than 10 years.

oh, really... why, what happened "like, more than 10 years" ago to make modern electronics immune to static?
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Sahuagin posted...

helly posted...

it hasn't actually mattered for like, more than 10 years.

oh, really... why, what happened "like, more than 10 years" ago to make modern electronics immune to static?

Yeah, if anything they would be more susceptible to static now since they need a much smaller charge for to trigger stuff.
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I had to buy an anti-static wrist strap thingy for a PC class I took once.

I still have it around here...somewhere...
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AllstarSniper32 posted...

I had to buy an anti-static wrist strap thingy for a PC class I took once.

I still have it around here...somewhere...

You can say its on your penis, its alright.
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Zangulus posted...

Violet_Blooded posted...

AllstarSniper32 posted...

I had to buy an anti-static wrist strap thingy for a PC class I took once.

I still have it around here...somewhere...

You can say its on your penis, its alright.

I keep mine on my pinky.

You keep your penis on your pinky?

Alright... Not judging...
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Violet_Blooded posted...

AllstarSniper32 posted...

I had to buy an anti-static wrist strap thingy for a PC class I took once.

I still have it around here...somewhere...

You can say its on your penis, its alright.

Even I'm not that debauched! You sicko!!
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