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Got my 2GB ram card thingy to upgrade my 1GB. I even ordered a wrist static protection thing.
Got some questions
1) on both sides of the ram circuit board is a white sticker stuck all along the black chicklets and over the gaps. On one side is a sticker that says Crucial, the store I ordered it from, the other side is a bunch of numbers etc.
??Am I supposed to peel these off before installing?
2) The wrist strap thing says (clip to an electrical ground or the metal object you are working on.
?? Am I supposed to take the cover off an electrical outlet and try to figure out what the ground wire is? (uh, not sure I want to do this). The computer cover etc. is plastic so grounding to that wont really work.
Got my 2GB ram card thingy to upgrade my 1GB. I even ordered a wrist static protection thing.
Got some questions
1) on both sides of the ram circuit board is a white sticker stuck all along the black chicklets and over the gaps. On one side is a sticker that says Crucial, the store I ordered it from, the other side is a bunch of numbers etc.
??Am I supposed to peel these off before installing?
2) The wrist strap thing says (clip to an electrical ground or the metal object you are working on.
?? Am I supposed to take the cover off an electrical outlet and try to figure out what the ground wire is? (uh, not sure I want to do this). The computer cover etc. is plastic so grounding to that wont really work.
3) what should I do with the 1GB I take out?
Thanks,
1.) Doesn't matter.
2.) Put case on the floor or desk and clip the wristband to a metal part of the case.
3.) If you have a free RAM slot put it in there. Otherwise sell it or donate it.
?? Am I supposed to take the cover off an electrical outlet and try to figure out what the ground wire is? (uh, not sure I want to do this). The computer cover etc. is plastic so grounding to that wont really work.
You'll definitely want to stay away from the Hot terminal!
Grab a magnet and see if it will stick anywhere inside or around the PC. Keep it away from the hard drive though. If it sticks, then you've found a ground point. Leave the computer plugged in while doing the RAM work, but turn off the power at the power supply switch behind the computer. There shouldn't be any LEDs on inside the case. Keeping it plugged keeps it grounded.
1 memory slot? This sounds like a netbook or small format laptop.
If this is a really limited desktop with only one slot for memory, then just touch any part of the metal frame (visible after removing a case panel) before touching any circuit cards.
99% of computers today do not have a switch on the back to completely turn the computer off, so your probably won't find one as suggested above. However if your computer is plugged into a surge protector (it should be), turning the surge protector switch off will remove all power from the computer and maintain the connection to ground.
DO NOT take a outlet face plate off to connect to a ground wire.
DO NOT go probing around inside a computer with a magnet, you can turn the disk drive into a paper weight.
99% of computers today do not have a switch on the back to completely turn the computer off, so your probably won't find one as suggested above. However if your computer is plugged into a surge protector (it should be), turning the surge protector switch off will remove all power from the computer and maintain the connection to ground.
I didn't even think of the surge protector. That's a good idea. Regarding the 99% of computers lacking a power switch in the back, what is your source for this? I just did a quick check at the desktop power supply section at newegg and over 90% of their power supplies had an on/off switch in it.
Last edited by Trucker7; 08-12-2012 at 09:20 AM..
Reason: Add picture
I didn't even think of the surge protector. That's a good idea. Regarding the 99% of computers lacking a power switch in the back, what is your source for this? I just did a quick check at the desktop power supply section at newegg and over 90% of their power supplies had an on/off switch in it.
Working on hundreds and hundreds of computers over the year.
I'm talking about "stock OEM" power supplies, the kind found in all mass produced branded PC's, not custom builds or replacement PS's
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