Poll: Do you use an Antistatic strap?

[Ruahrc]

I'm just wondering if anyone out there actually uses them. Personally I don't, I just touch the case chassis before handling any sensitive equipment. Of course, the more valuable the hardware the more careful I am... http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif.

I am in a CompTech class that requires us to have an ESD Strap so to be defiant I made my own, (vs paying $5 to buy one) and was just wondering if anyone actually used them.

Ruahrc

[jad1097]

NO.

[Szech]

I have one and I use it, but to be honest, if my work hadn't paid for it, I probably wouldn't have it, and wouldn't use it.

[bhess]

I just stick my tongue to the case and leave it there until I'm done working inside. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/biggrin.gif

[jerkymom]

I have one, but since we're being honest, I admit I rarely use it. I usually do what you do and just touch the chassis first. UNLESS someone's watching me...then I use it cuz it makes me look like I know what I'm doing! <giggle> http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/wink.gif I like bhess's procedure, though! That would really impress 'em... http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

Kim

[smokin1]

Not here either..
I've never fried anything..from static electricity that is...as above, I just ground on the case first, and get to it..I also have wood floors so no static build up
http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/wink.gif

[sns]

I used to because I use them at work, I gave up when the computer shop owners carried ram around in their bare hands. Someone later told me they have (the ram that is) protection (?) and are not as sensitive as earlier ram. Who knows? I just touch the case for a while and remember not to rub my shoes on the carpet as I'm working on the pc.
So my answer is no (at present)

[fvay]

I have straps for shoes and rist from my work, but i dont use neither.
I just connect the home wiring's grounding cable to my neck while i am working on the computer http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/wink.gif so i dont need it =)

[falcompsx]

ok, i've dropped a 32mb dimm into a box with styrophome peanuts...LOTS of static in there...and it still works fine. so i guess the answer to the question is no, i don't even believe in esd, unless you actually TRY to fry a chip. I even tried to fry a sound card once(old as hell 8 bit mono one) and couldn't, it just wouldn't die....so i i cut it up and made keychains http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

[Graham]

The static chrage is supposed to shorten the life of the device if not destroy it, least thats what my company says ( they supply straps, benchmats, and a foldup sheet to use at customers premises, and they have to be tested regularly to comply with BS9001 or whatever).
I have never knowingly had any problem with static, but I have to use the strap if someone is around.
Incidently, the straps we use have a high value resistor at each end, about 4 Meg ohm,
easy to make.

G

[This message has been edited by Graham (edited 10-23-2000).]

[HfdWolfPack]

When I put my $300 vid card in my case,You bet I used one.Why take the chance of ruining a good setup,when all it takes is an extra 5 seconds to put one on? Would anything have happened if I didnt use it? Probably not. I dont use the strap all the time ,I usually just touch the case once in awhile when working.but heres an analogy; when i ride a motorcycle,I always wear a helmet.I havent crashed yet,But the helmet will protect my skull if I do.
I guess its the "safer than sorry" thing.

[brandon184]

Wear shoes while you're working (socks shuffling around on carpet or sometimes even hardwood flooring can build up static) and touch an unpainted metal part on your case every now and then and you'll be fine!

- Brandon

[This message has been edited by brandon184 (edited 10-23-2000).]

[Mike311]

I always touch the case. If I just bought some shiny new stuff or I am being watched by aquaintences, I use an extension cord, with only the ground hooked up, wrapped around my wrist.

I have burned up some cards way back when CMOS was new. It can be hard to find.

[RobRich]

When I'm working with one of my systems, no.

When I'm working on another person's computer, then YES! I honestly don't feel like buying someone new hardware because I bypassed a simple preventative step.

Later,
Robert Richmond

[Underclocked]

I never do but I always keep at least one part of my body touching the case, usually an arm.
Have you ever noticed some people are like walking Tesla coils? My wife is that type but she doesn't touch the insides of a computer, just zaps hell out of me once in awhile. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

[voogru]

TIPS ON HOW TO FRY YOU FRIENDS COMPUTER:

Requirments
1. acsess to the insides of there computer
2.A trampoline
3. a hot and dry day

How to Fry your Friends computer:
1.Go On the Trampoline and do snow angels sevral times.

2.Go into their house and touch the cpu

3. Volita! thier computer has been fried!

No I dont use one cuz theirs lotsa humidity over here expect in the winter.

-voogru

[Savant]

I've never even seen one...

so no, I don't use it http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/wink.gif

[shadow]

Try rubbing that RAM chip across the front of a TV CRT right after it starts up.

For the case to be at ground, the power cord has to be plugged into the computer and into the wall socket, and to keep yourself safe keep one thumb up your @@s when working inside.

Maybe easier to use a strap http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/wink.gif

[bdunn]

Yes many years ago I learned the value of an antiststic strap. I destroyed a V20 chip which at the time, when I was an undergraduate, cost me $50. I bought another one and the strap. It was worth it because I was able to frive that old XT clone to a whopping 12MHz which was about 3 times its original speed.

[loser]

huh? what is an anti static strap?

i haven't fried anything yet, so no!

[superraton01]

i'd recommend against using an extension
cord with only the ground hooked up to
a wall socket. the purpose of the
1M ohm (or > ) resistor is to limit current
through the body. omitting the resistor
(cost $1) is WAY unsafe. IMHO.

[CMonster]

Yes, but my cat hates to be tied down.

[Richard_Cranium72]

Voogoo, I beg to differ.

The case on all computers is Grounded.

So, just touching the case will discharge the static and cannot possibly harm anything, while plugged in.

I'm with Mike, I too discharge on the case before proceeding inward.

AFTER a post of mine at the HP Forum in July of 98, regarding my solution of static in the keyboard.
The HP folks devised a software method of keyboard static discharge.

My method was a speaker wire attached to one of the screws on the kbd leading to the pewter case.

End of Lock down from kbd static.

I don't claim credit for the upgrade, just timely on my part to post my solution PRIOR to HP's release.

DrVette

[SMITHNC]

I dont, but I should. I should floss too!
Anyway I always try to keep in contact with the case because I do believe in ESD and have seen the effect on gAS fets used in avionics.

[CMonster]

The case on a typical computer is only grounded so long as the computer power supply is plugged into a grounded outlet. However, though touching an ungrounded computer case proir to working on sensitive components should put you at the same potential as the components that are attached to the case and avoid dammage or degradation from ESD to those components that are inside the case already, it may not protect the ram or vid card you reach for on the floor or table.

One might also argue that some custom built plastic cases would not provide a path to ground at all.

[Missing the point]

Hey DrVette, he actually said "Touch the CPU", I am guessing he meant the "Processor thingamajig"

[Hellhound]

I dont use one. I did use one when I was building amps for a music store..I was informed by this old school guy to just ground myself out on the chassy....My brother has one..Hes a Tech for compaq now...and he uses it when handling expensive things like 1 gig setups ..but thats about it...doesnt hardly ever use on at home

[jl123]

I only use one for my Duron system. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif I wonder why. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/biggrin.gif It's my baby!

I try to use it when I remember to. But when working on my own slower machines I never use it. When I work on someone elses system I always do because I don't want to fry anything of theirs. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

~Joel

[KAknight]

Never use one. I always just touch the case. Never had a problem yet.

[Peter558]

I always use one, basically I can't easily afford to replace any fried parts. Also had a friend who was a tech for Time computers, and he always used an antistatic mat and wristband, so I just did went down the safe route. "Better to be safe than sorry."

BTW, when I had a tech[s] out to fix this computer, they never wore an antistatic band. Guess if they fry something then they can replace it.

[Carl Uman]

Have one but never use it. Just touch the case first.

[marcusbateman]

No. Just ground myself on something before I handle any circuits.

[crockett]

no...whats is it....hehe j/k http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/wink.gif

[Netboy]

I was ISO9001 trained as a Quality Assurance Auditor in an IBM Approved Assembler config center- but I never use one at home, and have never had a problem.

[JayMan]

Ground off the case (bare metal) while still plugged into the socket seems to be working for me.

JayMan

[greenlion]

sometimes just briefly touching your computer's case while it's plugged is not enough. you have to constantly maintain your contact with the case for you to discharge static buildup.

also, you won't always know if you zapped the thing or not because it's not always the case that you completely fry a part when you zap it. sometimes you zap it just enough to degrade it, it will work for a while or maybe for sometime, but when it suddenly stopped working nowhere along it's supposed lifetime, then for sure it got zapped during it's unsafe handling before.