To JR and Linda,
Yes, everything inside the computer case should be considered sensitive
to static electricity. So the proper procedure is to ground oneself to
the chassis to equalize any difference in static charges before you
touch any components or the motherboard. Equally important, you should
ground yourself again the same way if you leave the machine and go
somewhere else for a while. Just walking across the rug in returning
from the bathroom can generate enough SE on a cold dry day to fricassee
a tiny noodnik or two.
It may be healthy to be scared sometimes, but it's even healthier to
know what you're doing all the time. JR's point is to understand what
you're working with and conduct yourself appropriately in the world of
static electricity.
__________________
For Linda, her issue was personal safety and not sending the computer
insides into melt-down:
Please understand, the accessable voltages inside most all computer
cases are 5 and 12 volts with the more dangerous 120/240 voltages
shrouded in a caged power supply. So, the issues of personal safety are
in the context of those lower voltages. They are however, the operating
voltages of all the components and those voltages can devastate the
insides if you short or ground something out with a screwdriver or
pliers or a ring on your hand.
I don't think I ever said I wanted anyone to work on anything with the
power on--I did say I was considering recommending the resetting of the
Cuda switch with the power on to the battery charger which goes on when
the plug is placed in the back. That's a much different story. And it's
also a part of a fix that might work quite well for many people.
I am a safety designer of many, many years and lots of projects. I would
not, could not, have people set out to do something dangerous or
destructive.
With the Max plugged in in the back, but without turning on the front
power switch, the Cuda button can be reset by pushing it with a finger
or pushing it with the eraser end of a pencil. Both will work, both can
be safe, and perhaps the pencil is indeed the best choice when the unit
is plugged in.
In any case, I apologize for being premature in thinking out loud. But
the public commentary just generated in this forum had a proper and
immediate effect in showing me where I was ignorant--and ain't that
what a list is all about?
Bob
_______________________________
--
StarMax is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and...
/ Buy books, CDs, videos, and more from Amazon.com \
/ <http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect-home/lowendmac> \
Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html>
StarMax list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/starmax.html>
Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/starmax%40mail.maclaunch.com/>
Using a Macintosh? Get free email and more at Applelinks!
<http://www.applelinks.com>
