when one opens up their computer and tries to install ram or any other hardware, can anyone tell me what the deal is about "static" and "decharging"? i noticed someone mentioned that you have to touch the metal frame inside the computer to decharge so you'll be able to touch the ram and install it into the motherboard.

when i installed ram into my old performa, i didn't know about anything and just snapped it on. but nothing ever happened, and it ran smoothly afterwards...

can anyone clarify this...

ahem... static is the enemy of RAM chips and nearly all components of this sort.

it will WRECK 'em, should it hit 'em

when you touch the ground prong on the AC connector on the back of your UNPLUGGED Mac (power cord completely disconnected from the Mac), you will discharge any static in/on your body.

and always handle these RAM chips and like components by their edges and not the metal part that is the connector/conductor, and handle them as little as possible.

your Apple manual will tell you all of this, read it. ok, sparky?

[This message has been edited by wlonh (edited 03-18-2000).]

the amount of energy generated depends on the materials of the floor and on your feet, temperature, humidity, how windy it is outside(no kidding). electronics damage is hard to evaluate sometimes...not all damage is immediately apparent as components sometimes degrade rather than fail. If you are careful and discharge yourself periodically and take care not to generate any charge by shuffling or sliding your feet, you will rarely have any problems...best to touch the metal case of the power supply when still plugged in to the wall, so the charge will dissipate to earth ground. If you touch the case while unplugged, you will put yourself and the case at the same potential, which should be fine in almost all situations.Avoid touching your monitor glass when playing with RAM.