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Interesting weekend. Stack overflow problem yesterday and two U S Marine reruiters in my home all afternoon for my youngest son. And to top it all off before I really wake up this morning I find myself talking about Zone Alarm on an inoculate thread on the 98 thread.
There has been a good job done so far on safety both for our bodies as well as the computers we own. Learning about power and safety issues of other countries has been nice.
Now let's shift the safety issue to tools and test equipment that you would work with on computers. Also we have touched on the work area needed a little bit. We have to realize that many people reading these threads for the first time have not used tools. Therefore to start this question will be asked.
What is the best work area to have in terms of safety?
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The 'Clean Room' at Intel. But if that's not available, the kitchen table (wood) will do. Just make sure you clear off that bowl of spaghetti first...I would not recommend a garage workshop; too dusty and you'd really wouldn't want that pipe wrench hanging on the peg board above to accidentally fall on top of a new motherboard you are installing.
As long as you have plenty of space and relatively dust free. No carpeting!
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In the line of tools, all I have needed is a screwdriver. To remove the case cover.
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I have a sister who is a nurse and was able to "creatively acquire" a couple pairs of hemostats. They are great for working in tight areas like in the micro-towers. Even small pliers can crush things, but the hemostats, since they are designed for use with human tissue, are less likely to cause damage. They don't get used often, but come in handy for when the fingers are just too fat...LOL https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
http://www.library.spt.tec.sc.us/sur.../hemostatA.jpg
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I want my Win98 Emachine back !!!
MAXXIMILIAN'S
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I once bought a nice little bag of comp tools in Germany for around $ 20-30. It contains everything I could ever dream of attacking a computer with (don't ask me to find and translate the names of the parts!). About half of it has never been used yet.
I wouldn't go as far as Train only using a screwdriver, but you really don't need much else (my little Leatherman multitool handles most). But it sure feels nice pulling out this little nifty toolbag when making "house-calls" at friends who called the "PC-doctor".
As to where to work I'd say find a wooden table where you can sit in a comfortable working position. You can get pretty sore in your knees working the beast on the floor if it takes more than five minutes. Besides, I have a perspiration "problem" (should be rather healthy to sweat a lot, they say...) and tend to start dripping once I really dig in, and sitting upright prevents sweat from falling onto the electronics, as it otherwise would if I was bent over the PC. And trying to find all these small screws again on the floor isn't much fun either...
Good working light is important also. I bought one of these rubbercoated flashlights and it's served me well. Since it's coated I can lay it somewhere inside the machine to have both hands free - one of my best "tools.
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Karl, Denmark
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"..and may The Force be with you too..."
[This message has been edited by kallikru (edited 06-03-2001).]
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That flashlight sounds like a good addition. But, must admit a cross tip screw driver is all I have had to use, so far. It is a non-magnetic one.
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Speaking of flashlights...I buy those little packs of keychain flashlights; the kind you squeeze on and off. Hold it in my mouth and just bite down when I need the light. Just take off the little chain first...it can really zing your fillings.( https://discussions.virtualdr.com/)
Found those computer kits to be really handy. Non-magnetic, non-conductive tools.
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In opening a computer case then, I may need to use a phillips screwdriver or a blade screwdriver. How do I determine which size to use?
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Trial and error mostly just make sure that it matches [fits] snuggley all the way around.
If it is loose it will tend to slip and thus strip it and that will cause more problems,
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If you go into the case often, would recommend metal or plastic knurled screws such as HERE. Makes it faster and easier to get the panel(s) off.
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Bistro
Very true, forgot about them https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
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hmm...safety for the computers is good and all...but I say it is a question of philosophy...
I don't fear death or pain...the way I figure it, we all take a beating every once in awhile...
I've been electrocuted before...nothing big...
as long as I don't kill the PC its cool by me...I've worked on a live switch before too...
try this...(I'm sure some of you will) stick a 9-volt battery into your mouth...
did it hurt? at first it does, but then you get numb and you can't feel it...
you might say I'm stupid or have no common sense...but I won't die this way...I've worked on a PC still plugged in that my stupid colleague spilled water on...
now, I didn't know it was plugged in, and boy I got a shock...but she was at fault for not unplugging it and for spilling the water..she was reprimanded and I was fine...
don't be afraid of the light...safety is a good thing...but for anyone who lives like me, don't fear death...
I'm sure I'll get flamed for this post...but thats ok...I don't worry myself over petty details...
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Mark
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Good Morning All, zam1el, Thanks for posting and that is an interesting philosophy, but not one as you pointed out that most people would subscribe to. There is enough that happens to a person in a lifetime that causes pain. Why volunteer for it?
Now, once inside a case and for example we have an idea the power supply is bad. How would you approach checking the power supply and what safety precautions should be taken?
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As an Electronic engineer specializing in embedded computer applications I thought I would post to clear up a common misconception concerning the use of ground straps.
Computer circuitry is extremely susceptible to damage from static electricity. Anti-static procedures should always be followed when handling them. Just touching the chassis to discharge static potential is not enough to protect the delicate circuitry. An electronic circuit can have static damage and still appear to operate normally. It will have a higher MTBF rate and in many cases reduced performance. Commercial wrist ground straps, ankle straps, mats, etc. are designed for safety. They have built in current limiting resistance (on the order of multiple mega-ohms) to keep the operator safe from dangerous discharges containing high amperages. If used properly, like any tool, they are safe. Be sure to read and understand the instructions and safety precautions for the tools you use.
Electricity is extremely dangerous. It only takes 100uA to kill a human being. If you aren't sure you can perform a repair involving electricity properly and safely then don't do it. Leave it to the pros and don't risk your life.
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Once, during Prohibition, I was forced to live for days on nothing but food and water. - W.C. Fields
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As with everything in life there's of course a certain risk involved when you stick your head in to a computer. Changing a lightbulb can under circumstances kill you, but that doesn't mean you call an electrician to do it for you, not..? You can cut off a toe mowing your grass (or even a foot) if you fool around while doing it. But that still doesn't keep people from mowing their grass themselves...
The meaning of this thread (and the following) is to give people an understanding of what they're up against, how they should go about it, what they should look out for ect. It's then up to people to decide whether this is something they're up to.
Some people have 5 thumbs on each hand while others get the chills when hearing the word 'electricity' - ok, this is not for those people (hmm..sounds like 'the King of Spades'..).
There's nothing wrong with going to the local store and buy a pre-assembled machine. But if you're up to it and have some talent you can have a lot of happy hours assembling one yourself - and save some bucks at the same time.
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Karl, Denmark
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"..and may The Force be with you too..."
[This message has been edited by kallikru (edited 06-04-2001).]
