ESD and warranty

[HalifaxJ]

Greetings,

Before I start installing anything else in my computer (only one week old), I'd like to know what are the "real" dangers of ESD? Have any of you experienced damage from this? I know all about grounding and static, just wondering how often this happens.

Also, if damage were to occur and months down the road a motherboard, or CPU, fails - are they still covered under warranty? (provided they're still in their warranty period).

Just curious,

J

[CanadaRox]

I've never had any problem with ESD damaging any components. I wouldn't worry too much about it unless you plan on building your PC with a wool sweater and wool socks on a shag carpet. I generally just work on computers on a hardwood floor and just touch the case every once in a while to ground myself. If you are really worried, you could spend the $10 or so and just get one of those bands but I personally wouldn't bother. And as far as I know, ESD damage will be visible right away and doesn't do anyhting over hte long term.

[Jake_HT]

Yeah, I wouldn't worry about it.. just touch your power supply or metal parts on your case to ground yourself (do this every few mins of work)... if you have any static you'll get a little shock and then you'll be fine. I've never had any problems with it, and I would assume that just a little shock like that wouldn't harm anything anyways? Maybe I'm wrong, but generally if you made it fail it'll happen then and not in time.

[Soultribunal]

My personal feelings are, if your putting together a rig valued in the thousands or hundreds, what the heck really is the extra cost of a Anti-static Wrist strap.
I have always used one, some people do, some people don't.
But realistically, for $10, why not play it safe.

Also, ESD will kill a component instantly.
ESD is not a long term effect.

ST

[BrainEater]

Here's the deal :

If you build a computer , and you do not have A+ certification , you have already voided all your warrantee's.

That being said , one of the things the teach you in A+ is proper antistatic procedures.

ESD is no joke.I've killed several things that way.

I use a 'groundmat' and an antistatic wrist strap.

[Chilly]

Originally Posted by BrainEater

If you build a computer , and you do not have A+ certification , you have already voided all your warrantee's.

Yes and No, long story short, not really. While there may be a few products with that disclaimer about how it has to be installed by a "licenced or skilled technician" in their products warranty, its mostly to cover their asses and rarely, if ever actually enforced.

That, and while the wording may imply it, I've never seen a warranty state A++ specifically.

Originally Posted by BrainEater

ESD is no joke.I've killed several things that way.

This I agree with, while you can usually get away with just touching a metal casing, your PSU, or something to ground your self, ESD is as real as you and me. While technically killing hardware via ESD may void your warranty, very few companies will deny an RMA due to it.

Also I just want to note ESD *usually* kills hardware instantly, it does not occur over time. The only exception to this rule is RAM, thats not to say that it will get worse over time but rather that unlike other conponents where death is quick and defenite, you may not easily notice with RAM.

For example if ESD frys your CPU, your computer won't boot, on the other hand if ESD kills your ram, your computer may boot, hell you might not even notice it, your system would simply become technicly unstable but it might still work. You might get a few random, unexplainable crashes, but in general your system might seem pretty normal.

Hope that helped!

[b1lk1]

I don't think I have ever killed a part with ESD and I build my computers in foolish places. Only time I even touch anything metal is when installing CPU's and memory. Should you care? Of course. Every part I have killed was through either careless modifications or leaking waterlines.