10
When Working Inside Your Computer
Notice:
Do not attempt to service the computer system yourself, except as explained in
this guide and elsewhere in Intel documentation. Always follow installation and
service instructions closely.
1) Make a verified backup of all data stored on your computer.
2) Turn off your computer and any peripherals.
3) Disconnect your computer and peripherals from their power sources. Also disconnect any
telephone or telecommunications lines from the computer.
Doing so reduces the potential for personal injury or shock.
Also note these safety guidelines:
•
When you disconnect a cable, pull on its connector or on its strain-relief loop, not on the
cable itself. Some cables have a connector with locking tabs; if you are disconnecting this
type of cable, press in the locking tabs before disconnect the cable. As you pull
connectors apart, keep them evenly aligned to avoid bending the connector pins. Before
you connect a cable, make sure both connectors are correctly oriented and aligned.
•
Handle components and cards with care. Do not touch the components or contacts on a
card. Hold a card by its edges or by its metal mounting bracket. Hold a component such
as a microprocessor chip by its edges, not by its pins.
Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge
Static electricity can harm delicate components inside your computer. To prevent static
damage, discharge static electricity from your body before you touch any of your computer’s
electronic components, such as the microprocessor. You can do so by touching an unpainted
metal surface, such as the metal around the card-slot openings at the back of the computer.
As you continue to work inside the computer, periodically touch an unpainted metal surface
to remove any static charge your body may have accumulated. In addition to the preceding
precautions, you can also take the following steps to prevent damage from electrostatic
discharge (ESD):
•
When unpacking a static-sensitive component from its shipping carton, do not remove the
component from the antistatic packing material until you are ready to install the
component in your computer. Just before unwrapping the antistatic packaging, be sure to
discharge static electricity from your body.
•
When transporting a sensitive component, first place it in an antistatic container or
packaging.
•
Handle all sensitive components in a static-safe area. If possible, use antistatic floor pads
and workbench pads.
