11
Handling the System Board
It is quite easy to inadvertently damage your system board even before
installing it in your system unit. Static electrical discharge can damage
computer components without causing any signs of physical damage.
You must take extra care in handling the system board to ensure
against electrostatic build-up.
Static Electricity Precautions
1. To prevent electrostatic build-up, leave the board in its anti-static
bag until you are ready to install it.
2. Wear an antistatic wrist strap.
3. Do all preparation work on a static-free surface with the system
board components facing up.
4. Hold the system board only by its edges. Be careful not to touch
any of the components, contacts or connections, especially gold
contacts, on the board.
5. Avoid touching the pins or contacts on all modules and connectors.
Hold modules and connectors by their ends.
Warning:
Electrostatic discharge (ESD) can damage your processor, disk drives,
add-in boards, and other components. Perform the upgrade instruction
procedures described at an ESD workstation only. If such a station is
not available, you can provide some ESD protection by wearing an anti-
static wrist strap and attaching it to a metal part of the system chassis.
If a wrist strap is unavailable, establish and maintain contact with the
system chassis throughout any procedures requiring ESD protection.
