In addition to being an afternoon of great fun, PC
repair can save you loads of time and money. No amount of fun, money or time is
enough, though, to compromise your safety.
Keep
these important tips in mind as you work inside your computer:
Remember
to Flip the Switch
Always, always, always remember to turn the power off
before servicing anything. This should always be your first step. Do not even open the computer case unless the power
is turned off. Many computers have a number of lights inside that serve certain
functions so check to see that no lights are on. If any are still on then the
power is probably not completely off.
Many power supply units have a switch on the
back, killing power to the device and ultimately the rest of your PC. If your
PSU has one, be sure to turn it to the off position.
Unplug
for Extra Safety
As a
second precaution, it is wise to unplug the computer from the wall or power
strip. If there was any doubt as to whether the computer was off before, it's
settled now.
Avoid
Smoke and Smells
See smoke
coming from the power supply or inside the case or smell a burning or solder
scent? If so:
1. Stop what you're doing immediately.
2. Unplug the computer from the wall.
3. Allow the PC to cool or discharge unplugged for at
least 5 minutes.
Finally,
if you know which device was generating the smoke or smell, remove and replace
it as soon as you can. Don't try to repair a device that's been damaged to this
extent, especially if it's a power supply.
Remove
Hand Jewelry
An easy way to get electrocuted is to work around a
high voltage device like a power supply with metal rings, watches, or bracelets
on. Remove anything conductive from your hands before working inside your
computer, especially if you're doing something like testing your power supply.
Avoid
Capacitors
Capacitors
are miniature electronic components contained in many of the parts inside a PC.
Capacitors can store electric charge for a short while after the power is
turned off so it's a wise decision to wait a few minutes after pulling the plug
before working on your PC.
Never
Service the Non-Serviceable
When you
come across labels that say "No serviceable components inside" don't
take it as a challenge or even a suggestion. This is a serious statement.
Some
parts of a computer are just not meant to be repaired, even by most
professional computer repair persons. You will usually see this warning on
power supply units but you may also see them on monitors, hard drives, optical drives and other dangerous or
highly sensitive components.
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