Hi Bob, Just a couple of suggestions that may help to simplify your project:
The easiest, most low-tech way to make a computer easier to work on is to place it on a "lazy susan", or rotating work surface. Instead of moving around the workbench to get to the rear panel, you give it a spin and it comes to you! You can build these out of scrap lumber and surplus ball-bearing rings. Testing individual components isolated from a computer is not really a good idea because many need to be grounded to a common chassis. You could use a stripped-down case for a test bench, with the sides and front removed for easier access. As far as electrical safety is concerned, just use cheap power strips mounted in convenient locations to make sure the AC power is not reaching the power supply. The only serious zap you can get from a disconnected computer is from the capacitors inside the power supply. The computer itself is far more vunerable to a static zap from a person than a person is to a zap from a computer. As far as hardware testing is concerned, you can probably find a copy of Check-It for DOS (an older version from the 486 era) on eBay really cheap. It fits on two floppy disks and can be configured to run any combination of tests you want. I think kids would find it easy and fun to use. Hope some of this is helpful. Binky __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Tax Center - forms, calculators, tips, more http://taxes.yahoo.com/
