What is the right way?

[GrandFlash13]

Hi all,

When you work on or build a computer(atx standard) do you make sure that you have the power supply plugged into the motherboard and on(not posted) at all times or do you unplug the power supply? Also, why do you do it the way that you do? A coworker and I are having a disagreement on to what is the best way and what not.

Thanks

[YeOldeStonecat]

Often depends on the motherboard, but more often, totally unplugged.

The thought process was, if the computer PS is plugged in, then that 3rd prong, the ground, is properly grounding the computer. People would often forget to touch something else before they touched the computer, and therefore not "discharge" themselves first. But half of those sockets out there aren't properly grounded in the first place.

Newer computers with ATX have power on components, such as your keyboard, or a wake up on LAN NIC, so even with the computer "appearing" to be turned off, and the power button is off, the motherboard is often still getting some juice. Many motherboards will even have a little green light that tells you this, it remains lit up when plugged in. These keyboards, you should really totally unplug your PS, or at least, on the better ones, turn off the rocker switch on the back of the PS itself which will effectively kill all power.

And touch your case first before handling anything.

[GrandFlash13]

Thanks for the response.

That was my arguement that with current atx motherboards, they still have juice even when "shutdown" and regardless of whether or not you have that third prong for the ground it is more important that you discharge yourself and that you were properly grounded before you touched anything. My fellow employee is currently taking some computer repair classes at our local community college so he has become mister know it all. His teacher informed him that you should never even think about touching anything unless it is still plugged in and of course everything that teacher says is gold to my coworker because he has A+ certification. But to be on the safe side, in case I was wrong, I wanted some other opinions.

Thanks

[YeOldeStonecat]

Yah, I know what you mean, sudden "Know it all's" just cuz they came out of A+, the kidnergarden of computer classes.

Remember, most A+ classes still teach their labs using old AT computer kits.

I went though mine a while ago, and I brought up in class the "ATX boards with power still on" question...much like the actual computers we were using in the classroom, Compaq Deskpro EN workstation, which do have wake up on lan motherboards. The teacher kinda said "Err, yah, some of the newer ones do, so know your computers. I'm just prepping you for the exam though, and that's the answer they will want to see".

Mind you this was a while ago on the old test. I know last year or so they CompTIA "finally" updated the tests and courses, so I don't know what they're teaching now.

[poptom]

I prefer to leave it plugged in to a UPS or power strip that is turned off. That assures proper grounding.

[HeCTiC]

I'm not sure if you're referring to leaving the PS plugged into the electrical socket when you asked you're question, if that IS what you meant, why don't you stick a fork in the electrical socket, you'll get the same effect. =] You should never work on you're computer still plugged into an electrical source, lol. As for the PS still being connected to the motherboard.......well that would be pretty dumb as well since a power supply has something called Capacitors which hold a nice little charge even hours after its unplugged. So you're ps should be disconnected from the board. When you speak of "ground", technically, you don't want to be ground, what you really want to do is have the same charge on yourself as your computer has, therefore there will be no discharge between you and your comp. I would say go out and get yourself an esd matt and strap and you'll be home free...........and unplug the wires =P

[drdoug99]

What I do on my computers, is unplug from wall socket, and turn off the rocker switch, AND wear my ESD strap.

Should I do that even if I work on an older computer? when I did some work for my friends old Acer computer, it's an AT style power supply and everything, I unplugged everything and wore the ESD strap....does that still work for AT? or should I leave it plugged in. the way I figure, having no power going to it at all, leaves out the chance that power could hurt it.

[ccrraaiigg]

usually on a real dry and windy day rub my feet on the plush carpet after rubbing a balloon on my leg for 5 minutes then to make sure i discharge myself touch the ram stick and feel the energy discharge out of my body. oh yeah unplug the power

[GrandFlash13]

Yes I was asking as to whether or not you(fellow board members) leave the power supply plugged in and connected to the mb while working on it. I myself have always unplugged and discharged myself on the case but when I was chatting with this coworker we was telling me you are supposed to leave it plugged in. I argued with him that that might have been true back in the days of the AT which cut off all power and all that would be left would be the 3rd prong for a ground but with the ATX the PSU are still "hot". He told me that his teacher told him no matter what, leave that PSU plugged in and attached to the MB while working on it. He would listened to me because his teacher is A+ certified and what could I possible know. So I figured I would ask around on these boards just for a bit of vindication. As for the fork in the outlet, well I tell you what, I save alot of money on hair gel each year with that little move.

[Qwijib0]

Originally posted by drdoug99
What I do on my computers, is unplug from wall socket, and turn off the rocker switch, AND wear my ESD strap.

Should I do that even if I work on an older computer? when I did some work for my friends old Acer computer, it's an AT style power supply and everything, I unplugged everything and wore the ESD strap....does that still work for AT? or should I leave it plugged in. the way I figure, having no power going to it at all, leaves out the chance that power could hurt it.

..goody 2 shoes

touch the case before, and you're set... I usually unplug everything.

[downhill]

The ESD strap does not a lick of good, if it isn't connected to a ground......


I kill the power to the mobo (usually through the rocker switch on the power supply) and connect the ESD strap to the power supply case. All the while, keeping the power supply cord plugged in to a socket. This way, the case is still grounded.

[poptom]

I can think of no electrical reason to disconnect the PS to MB plug as long as the PS is unpowered. There is always some risk of damage to the connector or MB pins each time it is plugged/unplugged so I would leave it connected unless the PS or MB is to be removed.