Any advice on grounding before installing a memory module?

[penpen]

Any advice on grounding before installing a memory module?

:help:

OK, i tried looking around for some advice on this, but i couldn't really find any. so i thought it might be ok to post my question here.

after reading what folks have noted about the min amt of RAM to have installed on a computer, i bought a pny pc2700 256mb notebook memory module to increase the total amt of RAM on my computer to 512mb. now i'm wondering about some instructions i read on the PNY site:

Before touching any electronic components (such as your new PNY memory) or opening the memory compartment to your laptop, make sure you touch a grounded metal object or attach an electronic static discharge (ESD) wrist strap to your wrist and then connect to grounded metal. This will discharge any static electricity you may have stored on your body or clothing.

btw, i bought the memory module, plus a pocket expansion file, a few boxes of staples, a 5" b&w tv-am/fm radio, and an emergency auto kit (that comes w/ jumper cables, flashlight, screwdriver w/ various bits, & more) all for ~$23 AR (that includes tax, and shipping was free). i think i got a good deal for all this.

anyway, back to my original point:
any suggestions on what "grounded metal object" i could use to "discharge any static electricity may have stored on [my] body or clothing"? thanks in advance for your advice!

 

[Kage_]

When I am working with computers at work I touch any metal part of the computer case before I pickup the memory. When you touch the case it will disapate any static charge you have picked up. The best thing to do is wear a static strap, but it's not a necessity.

Kage_

 

[ksocia]

It's mostly BS, you have a very, very, very small chance of actually making the memory stop working. Basically find a piece of metal (screwdriver works) and touch it right before picking up/installing the memory. Voila, static is discharged and I doubt you'll get enough to do any damage within the 2 seconds it takes to pick up the ram chip. But if you're extra paranoid and have carpeted floors, wear some shoes (don't do it in socks.) If the chip doesn't work, take it back to the store and try again.

*Edit*Ditto what Kage said. Don't waste your money on a grounding strap unless you're gonna do computer upgrades for a living.

 

[Kage_]

It's mostly BS, you have a very, very, very small chance of actually making the memory stop working. Basically find a piece of metal (screwdriver works) and touch it right before picking up/installing the memory. Voila, static is discharged and I doubt you'll get enough to do any damage within the 2 seconds it takes to pick up the ram chip. But if you're extra paranoid and have carpeted floors, wear some shoes (don't do it in socks.) If the chip doesn't work, take it back to the store and try again.

*Edit*Ditto what Kage said. Don't waste your money on a grounding strap unless you're gonna do computer upgrades for a living.

I do work on computer systems for a living and I rarely use my static strap. All it does is get in the way when I'm tring to get cards in and out.

As a side note thought it is pretty easy to kill memory with static electricty if you don't disapate it. In college I had a stick of ram I knew was good, had just been installed in a system. I took it out, walked across the room and put it in another system. I forgot to touch the case before I did and it would not come up when I tried to boot it.

Kage_

 

[penpen]

OK, i think my laptop isn't metal on the outside, so i have a screwdriver here and have removed my socks and am sitting with my feet off the carpeted floors.

i'll give this a shot ... if i somehow do something awful to my computer, and i'm not back online for a while, well ... LOL

 

[penpen]

Before I try this, just wanted to say thanks to Kage_ & Ksocia for your helpful advice and for responding SO FAST! Sorry for asking what probably seems like a really simple question. Anyway, wish me luck!

 

[penpen]

Hello I'm BACK !

I think it worked! Yes, i unplugged everything, removed the battery pack, put on a pair of shoes without my socks on (that felt strange), repeatedly held on to the screwdriver for a few seconds, followed the instructions step by step, and voila... increased RAM !

it says, though that the RAM is now 448, not the 512 i hoped for. but from what i read, this was to be expected "The amount of current memory displayed in the System Properties window may be less than the actual amount in your notebook. This is because some notebooks reserve several megabytes of memory for the graphics chipset."

ok, i'm gonna try and see if i notice the difference now. thanks again everyone for all your kind advice !

 

[jl514]

yea you have a onboard integrated 64mb video card/chip... thats where you 64missing mb are.

If you want to make sure that you have 512 installed, msg me on aim: jordan68415

and i'll send you a little program that checks it in a second 4 you

 

[O_loung1]

unplug everything

congrats penpen!

chsnybn, its better to turn of the power supply in a desktop and leave the power cord plugged in.

 

[penpen]

congrats penpen!

thanks O_loung1! WOW, i only added 256mb and i notice SUCH a difference .... weeeeeeeee!!!!

 

[Kage_]

congrats penpen!

chsnybn, its better to turn of the power supply in a desktop and leave the power cord plugged in.

Hey there,

Actully that is incorrect. With the new PC's even thought the PC is turned off the motherboard still has power. With Dell's they put an LED on the MB that shows you this. If you are doing anything inside of the PC you need to unplug it before working on it.

Kage_

 

[ksocia]

Hey there,

Actully that is incorrect. With the new PC's even thought the PC is turned off the motherboard still has power. With Dell's they put an LED on the MB that shows you this. If you are doing anything inside of the PC you need to unplug it before working on it.

Kage_

True dat. My infrared Microsoft mouse still glows red when my computer is off (plugged in through USB), so it's still getting power.