There are a number of things you can repair on your computer from home. You can even make simple upgrades. However, not knowing how to properly work on your computer can result in massive damage. For example, a bit of static electricity can be enough to fry your motherboard. That’s why you must practice proper safety when working on computers. Here are a few safety tips for working with computers.
[Read also: Practical Tips to Help You Install a Motherboard]
Unplug the Computer
The first thing you must do before working on a computer is to unplug it and wait for at least 15 minutes. Computers house enough electricity to kill you and they can hold that power for several minutes after they are unplugged. This means you have to be extremely careful. Don’t just hurriedly jump in there to fix something without taking the proper precautions.
[Read also: How to Fix Computer Problems – Use Latest Driver Updates]
Never Work on Monitors
Monitors are something you never want to work on. Older monitors can house electricity after they are unplugged and can kill you. LCD monitors are also very sensitive and can easily be ruined by those that don’t know what they’re doing. When needing repairs on your monitor, it’s best to leave the work to the professionals.
[Read also: A Second Monitor – When One ‘s not Enough]
[Read also: How to Fix a Broken Laptop Screen]
Remove the Potential for Static Electric Shock
While a zap from static electricity may not feel too bad, it can damage your computer. In fact, it can completely fry certain parts of your machine, which can be very expensive. To protect your computer from static electricity, you should never work on carpet. You should also ground yourself by using a strap or by working on a static-free mat. Some people recommend touching something metal before beginning, but straps and mats are much safer.
Avoid the Power Supply
Like the name implies, the power supply houses a large amount of electricity. Disturbing the power supply can lead to shock or computer damage. It’s best to never touch the power supply. If you suspect problems with the power supply, take the computer to a professional to have it tested and possibly replaced.
Repairing your computer at home can save you a lot of money. Unfortunately, not practicing computer safety can also cost you a lot of money and may even cost you your life. You have to remember to take precautions to prevent damage to your computer. This means unplugging the computer and allowing it to set so that it can release the built-up electricity. It also means avoiding monitor repair and avoiding the power supply. Last, but not least it means removing the potential for static electric shock so that you don’t fry your computer.
Thanks Bryon, For sharing this simple tips with us.
I think Unplugging is enough for safety for working with computers.
Hi Bryon, Back in the day when I used to repair computers I would always where one of those static electricity safety bands. This was especially true when handling any type of circuit board.
I was also careful not to get my fingerprints on any of the board components.
I read once that you could actually wash boars in a dishwasher without harming them – is that true?
I never tried it because I thought that would be stupid but the guy who wrote that was really highly valued as an expert. Have you heard of that before?
I have one of those anti-static wrist clips that plugs into an anti-static mat. It’s a nice setup, but I rarely use it anymore. I guess I just never had a problem, but there is always a first.
A long time ago, and no not in a galaxy far far away…I had a celeron 600mhz cpu. I always heard about how cpu’s get hot, but I wanted to see how hot. I removed the fan, turned on the power and put my finger on top of it. The tip of my finger literally melted to the top of the cpu in a matter of seconds. Needless to say I never did that again.
You said in your article that never touch power supply before repairing your computer. I thing i tell you that the other parts of computer also contains static electricity charge and if your body charge is different than these parts than you can also get current from these parts. So to prevent you from this you have to touch your body with the power supply in order to match the static electricity of your body with your computer.
I think what the author means by “never touch the power supply” is that you don’t try to repair the power supply if you suspect it has a problem. Not the kind of “touch” that you put your hands on it. I think you got it wrong Mohsin.
thanks so much for sharing these tips. its really very very necessary to keep it clean and safe. Safety is the most essential need for every gadget. And these points are really very necessary to be considered. thanks again.
Very well said, in addition to this article don’t forget to safety off your computer, even your power supply. And also have sometime to clean your pc. It is possible why your computer running slow is because of the dust and dirt inside.
I see the reason for the precaution, I suppose. But rather than waiting 15 minutes before working on a PC (which I assume is waiting for the power to be drained through some internal LED light on the motherboard or something, and the light doesn’t use much energy so it takes a while), you could also unplug the computer and then press the power button several times to drain the remaining power quickly.
Of course if it’s a laptop be sure to remove the battery as well.
Hey Bryon,
Nice article with some very sensible yet important points you have made. I recently bought am anti-static wrist band from eBay that works great but until I got it, I use to do what you said, and touch something conductive that was grounded like a radiator.
Some very good tips. Also make sure that you have your computer on a sturdy surface, hate to drop it on the ground or worse on your foot 😉
Your post is worth – reading. I have been using computers for many years now and yet I still find it hard to fix some problems by myself, especially when it is all about on hardware.
I totally agree with these tips, people under estimate the dangers of working with electronics! Brilliant article Peter.
Most of the power supplies does not provide any warranties. It is always better not to work on them as long as you are not a professional. Unplugging all the connection with power is most important before opening the CPU. Thanks for providing this very important post. 🙂
These are good tips, especially the one about the power supply. I swear a I have broken like 3 of them within the last few years, they seem to always be the first thing to die (in my experience at least.) I can image people might try to open them up and mess with them.
I have been repairing computers for around 14 years now and I have to admit to having never worn the anti-static wrist band. I always leave the computer connected to the electricity socket but turn it off at the switch. This keeps the computer grounded as sockets are earthed in the UK. I think the possibility of damage is less likely than we are lead to believe. Never had a problem yet.
Lightning strikes have always been the main electrical damage I have seen. Who else remembers the days of the dial up modem with all the blown chips after a lightning surge had travelled down the phone line?
I seem to recall a friend of mine dismantling an old CRT monitor and getting a nasty shock from the big capacitors that held a charge.
Another important computer maintenance tip that has a lot to do with safety is keeping the outside of your computer physically clean. It’s important to keep your PC dust free to keep it from over-heating. After I unplug my computer and move the tower onto my mat I use a compressed air can to gently clean all the dust bunnies out.
I’ve been trying to fix my laptop for the past couple of weeks. I’m no computer expert, so it’s very likely that I made the problem worse. It’s good to know these safety tips so at least I won’t hurt myself or anyone else while trying to fix it. At this point, I might just be better off taking it to a computer repair place.
I appreciate what you said about not practicing computer safety can cost you a lot of money. There are a lot of electrical dangers that can take place, like you mentioned the power supply can be dangerous. Its best to do some research before trying to figure these things out for yourself. thanks for sharing.
Your comment on static shock really helps me understand why my brother would always fix the computer while sitting at the kitchen table. It wasn’t just about being comfortable, it was about getting off of the carpet. Even though the computer is unplugged and turned off, it is still a piece of electronics. That alone can spell trouble if not cared for properly.
These are some really great tips! Too many people don’t realize how complex and delicate LCD monitors can be. It’s definitely a good idea to keep a wide berth from monitor repairs. Especially with older ones, because of how dangerous they can be. Thanks for writing!
Great post Peter!. Also make sure not to touch the gold keys on things like memory sticks or cpu. The oil on your fingers can cause problems like heat issues.
hello peter lee, your site is too good, for me its like heaven, i need some help regarding my laptop, i was using a lenovo ideapad series laptop, suddenly the screen has been turned to red and after bending it fully it is becoming normal, and i donno whether its a hardware problem or any software malfunction, please gimme some handy advice
Some great safety tips here, sometimes the simplest ones are the easiest ones to forget, reading this post is a great reminder before people start working with the computer and potentially putting themselves in danger.
Keep up the posting Peter!
I’ve noticed that my laptop is starting to run very slowly. It’s also turned off all by itself a few times. I didn’t realize that static electricity can damage your computer. I tend to walk around my carpet in my socks a lot. When I touch my computer, I usually feel a small static shock. I’m wondering if that might be one of the reasons my computer is acting so slow. I may just want to take it into a professional who can get it running the way it’s supposed to.