static charge/grounding when replacing hard drive

Question

I wish to remove the hard drive from my old Dell Dimension 4700 and use it in an exterenal USB housing as additional storage space for my new Dell Inspiron 350. I read somewhere about avoiding a static charge buildup and grounding when fooling with a hard drive uninstall/install. I don't want to damage my old hard drive, so can anyone enlighten me about this static charge/grounding thing before I begin fooling with my hard drive?

shesagordie · Answer

Sin4Good

First, remove the power cord, hold power button in for several seconds to discharge the residue power.

Then open the case and touch unpainted metal before removing the hard drive and use a anti-static wrist strap.

See here.

Bev.

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PETER345 · Answer

An easy way to ground yourself and discharge any static buildup is to touch the metal case of the computer before handling anything.   Peter

linklord010 · Answer

Similar to what the others said, you need to unplug the cable from your computer first, and then the wall jack. Before and after you open it, you need to periodically touch the unpainted metals on the outside of your computer (such as the back). Static can easily ruin your computer, not to scare you haha.  You'll decrease the amount of static from your body by touching the unpainted metals.

PETER345 · Answer

If the power cord is disconnected from the wall socket or the back of the computer, then the metal case is no longer grounded.   Peter

linklord010 · Answer

Lol. Sorry, but if you want to open the computer, you need to disconnect it.

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static charge/grounding when replacing hard drive

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