Path: utzoo!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!lanai!bcc
From: bcc@Eyring.COM (Brian Cooper)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.misc
Subject: Re: Installing chips (was Re: BUYERS! Beware Jason Galanter!)
Message-ID: <1991Mar14.230119.22350@Eyring.COM>
Date: 14 Mar 91 23:01:19 GMT
References: <1991Mar11.140514.8846@mintaka.lcs.mit.edu> <25730003@hpcvca.CV.HP.COM>
Organization: Eyring, Inc.
Lines: 21

In article <25730003@hpcvca.CV.HP.COM> scott@hpcvca.CV.HP.COM (Scott Linn) writes:
>/ hpcvca:comp.sys.ibm.pc.misc / streeter@theory.lcs.mit.edu (Kenneth B. Streeter) /  6:05 am  Mar 11, 1991 /
>
>>If you mean that the computer power should have been UNPLUGGED from
>>the wall, this is NOT a good idea when installing chips.
>
>Yes it is, even if you're not working on the power supply.  You should
>unplug the computer and then ground the chassis.
>
>>A good thing for your customers -- one of these days installing chips
>>into an unplugged computer might cost you a few cents...
>
>Someone may take your advice, and get a very nasty shock/burn someday.
>
I agree that you should unplug your computer.  Some brain-damaged engineer
elected to switch the NEUTRAL line in the Atari ST, so turning off the power
leaves all sorts of nasty voltages available inside.  While working inside
one I got a shock, which had no after effects, but also fried six or seven
expensive chips and damaged an inner trace in the mother board as well.  I
was without the use of the machine for MONTHS.  I will unplug the machine
before working in it, you can bet!