Solved static discharge

[padyboy]

I am about to install 2 internal components in my cpu.
I have heard that static discharge can damage these components during installation. On the other hand, I watched a video of a tech installing a SATA drive without any mention of damage from static discharge.

Exactly how significant is this problem?
If I rub my fingers on the metal case every 30 seconds or so, will this alleviate this problem?

Thanx.

 

[fseal]

Generally yes, pick up the part with one hand, touch the computer case (a metal part of course) with the other hand, you are now safe to touch the two parts together.

There are a ton of caveats to that but that'll at least save you 99.9% of the time

 

[Fred Garvin]

An anti static wrist strap is a good idea if you're working in a computer regularly. You'll want to discharge static before you pick up components or stick your hands inside a computer case. The computer case (for a desktop PC) needs to be plugged in to a grounded outlet. Then you can touch the metal chassis to discharge static electricity in your body. I've ruined sticks of ram before by not following static guidelines.

 

[Cancerous]

Harddrives don't matter much at all.
Static discharge is mainly a worry if you're going to be touching the chips, like a RAM stick or graphics card.

 

[ibshaw]

Discharge of static electricity i.e. electrical charge built up on you by friction can have a devastating effect at component level however things like HDD surrounded by a metal cage or similar is relatively safe provided that you are not directly touching the circuit board itself. It is generally good practice to use a wriststrap or heel strap with the recommended resistive circuit to ground when working with computer parts.

 

[Qdos]

Rubber floor and bench mats, and a (known good) earth clamp fixed to the chassis...

Personally I don't buy into the earthing wrist strap theory or grounding yourself on a case that is, itself, not grounded, because the charge may have nowhere to go...

Worst thing you can have are synthetic carpets and plastic soled shoes, I've seen some really classic static discharge damage on components as diverse as motherboards, cards, memory sticks, and drive controllers...

 

[ibshaw]

I have seen under a microscope the effect of static discharge on a microprocessor (I used to work for Motorola) and the effect on the aluminium layer is similar to a crater formed after a meteor has landed !!!! .

 

[Fred Garvin]

Personally I don't buy into the earthing wrist strap theory or grounding yourself on a case that is, itself, not grounded, because the charge may have nowhere to go...

You are correct. I normally connect a wrist strap directly to ground at an AC outlet.

 

[padyboy]

static and others

Thank you all for the assistance.
I have installed the storage drive successfully, and formatted it.

Next I must install a tv tuner card in a PCI-E 1x slot. As mentioned previously, I expect static discahrge will be more of a danger in this case. I have a wrist strap, but have found it somewhat constraining; however, I will wear it anyway. I will follow your instructions during the installation. I am on a wooden floor, no carpeting.

Then, I wish to install an internal floppy drive in the expansion bay on my cpu, from my old Dell Dimension desktop. I have many 3.5" diskettes I wish to access.
I actually have 2 of these floppies. The first I purchased from a local supply shop. The cabling they supplied did not fit the Dell; I ended up ordering the unit from Dell anyway. I expect one of these will work with my HP Pavillion a4310f computer.
However, I have been unable to locate information concerning this on the HP website. The Dell installation was simple; I am hoping this will be also.

Any suggestions on what sort of difficulties I may encounter?

"Idle hands do the Devil's work", or so I've heard.
I am endeavering to stay as busy as possible.

Thank you again.

 

[Fred Garvin]

3.5" floppy drive = easy install. One end of the ribbon cable attaches to the motherboard, the other to the drive. The stripe on the edged of the cable designates pin #1 on the connector. You align that with an arrow or 1 marked on the mobo. Then connect the floppy drive power connector.

 

[padyboy]

grats

Thanx for the advice.
As mentioned, no info could be found from HP concerning the connections. This should be PnP with Win 7.
I shall see. Thanx again.

 

[padyboy]

Win 7 drivers

Does Win 7 have the drivers for this medium? I have seen external floppy drives for sale, so I expect this is the case.

The biggest problem I anticipate is determining the connection cabled required. I would prefer to install the tuner card and floppy drive in sequence, since I must disengage my cpu and move it to a seperate room.

I am annoyed that HP failed to provide instructions on this matter on their website.

Thanx again. I will let you know what transpires.

 

[Fred Garvin]

It's very easy.

DIY: Installing a Floppy Drive

Remove and Install a Floppy Drive - YouTube

Jim's Floppy Drive Installation Help Page

 

[padyboy]

all over

It's very easy.

DIY: Installing a Floppy Drive

Remove and Install a Floppy Drive - YouTube

Jim's Floppy Drive Installation Help Page

I have not yet given up on installation of a 3.5" floppy drive in my CPU.
My desktop is an HP Pavillion a4310f, 3GHz, 4GB ram, 640GB hard drive, and there is little room (space) left on my 'desktop' for an external drive.

I have two major problems.

The first is lack of an expansion bay for a floppy drive in my CPU. There is a bay for a second optical drive, for which I have no use. I thus need a way of shrinking the second expansion bay to hold my floppy. Also the correct faceplate for this drive is required. Is there such a 'kit' which would accomplish this? Are the parts required available separately?
It has been suggested that I use velcro strips and duct tape to secure the drive in the available expansion bay; I do not have the mechanical or technical expertise to accomplish this, especially working inside my CPU.

The second BIGGER problem is the lack of a floppy socket on my motherboard. It is a Pegatron M2N68-LA. I believe this drive requires an IDE connection, whereas mine are all PCI. Is there such a thing as a PCI to IDE adaptor?

At this time, installation of an internal floppy drive in my desktop seems insurmountable. Needless to say, any and all input would be appreciated, even a

FORGET IT!!! GET LOST!!!

In any case, thank you in advance.


I have realized that install of a 3.5" floppy drive in my HP Pavillion a4310f computer is impossible. The frame will not allow this installation without major mechanical changes, while incurring the possibility of incapacitating my main computer.

I have given up and purchased an external floppy drive. It functions normally; I appreciate the old clicks and grinding sounds indicationg some action some action is underway, despite the wait time.
The capacity is, obviously, miniscule by present disk standards, but it is fun to play with nevertheless.

Since floppt drives are practically obsolete, this may provide some degree of security for storage of important text files.

Bye for now.

 

[fseal]

Well they do sell PCI cards that have IDE/floppy ports (IDE/EIDE Adapters, IDE/EIDE Interface Cards at TigerDirect.com).

You can also get a USB floppy drive which might be more useful as an emergency use device that you can hook to any computer you might need it on though, and no internals to mess with. The price is actually the same either way...

 

[fafhrd]

@padyboy

fseal has suggested half your requirements, here's the rest:

In the UK:

Lian Li 3.5inch - 5.25inch Drive Bay Kit - Black [MF-515B] from Overclock.co.uk

In the US:

5 1/4 Inch Bay Hardware : Performance-PCs.com, ... sleeve it and they will come

Good luck!

 

[Fred Garvin]

You can also get a USB floppy drive which might be more useful as an emergency use device that you can hook to any computer you might need it on though, and no internals to mess with. The price is actually the same either way...

I'm with Seal. For all the work and extra expense of installing a PCI card, 5 1/4 drive bay kit, etc., a USB drive is a better option. When you don't need the drive, pack it away in your drawer.

 

[padyboy]

I have purchased an external floppy drive as you suggested. The alternative internal install is not worth the trouble.

Thanx for the recommendations.

 

[cover]

I like wrist straps and cold water pipes (i.e. metal faucet). Having the wrist strap on while the other end is so near the 110v juice gives me too much of a distraction.

 

[padyboy]

mark solved.