by Elsewhere 36 Replies latest jw friends
It's obvious that my #1 mistake was leaving the computer on while I blew the dust out of it.
A bit like leaving the lawn mower on while you reach under there and pull out the clump of grass that's plugging it up. Of course that way you lose a finger rather than a PC.
Heh...I once had a somewhat similar catastrophic computer moment. Was attempting to adjust the monitor on it's swivel base, being a 19" monitor, it was rather heavy and hard to move (and I happen to think those swivel bases are piss-poorly designed too, they never seem to work right), the desk started rocking as I exerted more force, trying to rotate the damn thing to an angle that wouldn't have reflected sunlight from the window glaring in my eyes. Not a problem...until the half-empty soda can my wife left on the CD shelf above the monitor fell... zzzzzttttt CRACK!
Bit of advice which you prolly won't need now anyway...
TURN OFF - DISCONNECT FROM MAINS
REMOVE FAN, CLEAN FAN MANUALLY, REPLACE FAN (put back).
- Remember to wear an anti-static wrist band
I am surprised that as knowledgeable as you about computer matters made such an elementary mistake. I always switch off the PC before blowing away the dust in fact I do it out in the garden when it's not raining. Hopefully it's just your power supply that needs changing and the HDD with all the info is OK.
Even I know better than that .... always turn the computer OFF when vacuüm the inside
Poor Elsie
O...M...G
Elsewhere You have proved again that your brain is geared for thinking and not doing
If you are going to mess in there at least do a check on the web for how to do it safely.
I have an anti-static strip - never use it. Whenever I do work in there I turn off the computer and unplug it. Then I touch the case and ground myself before I stick my hand in to fix something.
The inside of a computer needs to be cleaned out on a regular basis. It gets various dusty in there. Stay away from the WD-40. Buy a can of Dust-Off or other compressed air in a can. Follow the directions on the can. They are there for a reason. If you spray too close the air will liquify . If this does happen let if dry fully before starting the computer again.
I also rarely close the case. Right now it has one side propped up beside the CPU. It means I have to clean it out more often but it also keeps it cooler (or so I've been told)
Lady Lee said:
Whenever I do work in there I turn off the computer and unplug it. Then I touch the case and ground myself before I stick my hand in to fix something.
This was the essence of my original musings to Jourles. If the case is unplugged, it's not grounded unless there is some other grounding mechanism in place.
This can be in the form of direct contact with something else that is grounded. (e.g Laying on a workbench ground pad; being installed in a grounded server rack, etc.) orby being physically connected to a good source of ground. (e.g. By being alligator clipped to a ground source, etc.)
Leaving the case plugged in is one other way to achieve this, albeit probably not the best way
Touching an ungrounded case equalizes the static potential between yourself, the case and all the components in direct electrical contact with the case. This includes the MB and peripheral card themselves.
