Do computers interest you? Have you ever just had the urge to open one’s case and mess around with it? This is natural as they are very intriguing machines, and they are all around us. Sometimes it is hard to get through a full day without using a computer at some point in the day. But if you are dealing with computer hardware, precaution is necessary in
order to keep yourself and your computer’s components safe. There are some procedures that are recommended when removing and installing parts. Just like any other machine, there are always dangers when working with one. Here is a list of some computer safety rules to keep in mind.
1) Wear an anti-static wrist strap when handling a computer’s internal parts. Snap it around your wrist and connect the clip to a metal area of the computer case. This grounds you so that harmful electricity will not transfer between your hand and the parts you touch. Even fairly small amounts of electricity can cause costly damages to your machine.
2)Turn off and unplug the computer before working on it. This may be obvious to some, however, it is very important. Not only could you damage the components, but you could also injure yourself. So turn it off, unplug it, and then push the on button to allow any stored electricity to dissipate.
3)Use anti-static mats. Anti-static mats help prevent electrical current transfer from the floor(or other surface) to the computer. This is especially important if your computer is on a carpet. So just put the anti-static mat on the surface you are going to work on your computer and place the computer on top.
4) Clean your computer on a regular basis. Dust builds up on computer hardware and can cause the components to retain heat while they run. Over time, this can overheat the parts and cause them to malfunction or breakdown altogether. So it would be wise to dust your computer’s interior on a regular basis, being careful not to get any liquid on or touch any internal components too much. Just remember, if you are vacuuming out your computer, do not use any vacuum that would create an electrostatic charge, as this could damage the components. There are tool made specifically for cleaning electronics.
5) Also, make sure you never take power supplies apart. You really do not want to deal with them as they are the most dangerous part in your system. This list can and should be added to. Though it is a good start, in no way is it all-inclusive. You can never be too cautious when working with electronics. And unless you are an experienced user, you may want to hire a professional to install and maintain your computer’s components. But if you do decide to work on your computer, make sure to always be
cautious and safe. The potential of hurting yourself or damaging your computer is just not worth being lackadaisical about safety.
