Your biggest enemy is haste. Often, small mistakes will emerge later as problems which are extremely difficult to trace. Take your time and go over each step twice.
You should never start modifying your system before reading the appropriate instructions manual. Begin your work only when you're familiar with all the details and understand the entire operation.
All socket and screw connections in your PC should fit together and come apart easily and without using force. Most connectors are one-way connectors that are designed to hook up in only one direction. This prevents polarity reversals.
However, with enough force, these connectors can also be connected incorrectly. The resulting reversal in polarity can cause serious damage to your system's hardware.
Therefore, you should immediately become suspicious if any step in your operation seems to require an excessive amount of strength or force. Double-check the procedure and proceed only when you're absolutely certain this is the correct way.
Static electricity is dangerous
Electrostatic charges can easily reach 2000 volts or more. Although the small amount of current released in the discharge of the voltage may be harmless to humans, it can be fatal for computer components. CMOS components are particularly susceptible to this type of damage.
The most reliable way to do this is to wear an anti-static wristband that's connected directly to an electrical ground. However, frequently touching a grounded object, such as the PC's chassis or a plumbing fixture, will achieve the same result. Remember, always touch your PC's chassis before handling any other component.
you should never open your ;monitor under any circumstances. Various components within the monitor store electrical charges that could violently discharge this energy even days after the monitor was last used. You should consult a qualified technician.
CAUTION:
The internal components in your monitor contain voltages high enough to pose a serious risk of injury or even death. This is true even when you've switched off your monitor and disconnected the power cord.
Do not try to repair a running PC. This is especially true when installing an expansion card, video, memory etc. This can quickly lead to a damage motherboard or expansion card slots. Also, if your do this, you may harm yourself.
Always unplug the power cords of every device in the system on which you'll be working. This way you'll not only prevent yourself from being electrocuted on poorly insulated power plugs, you'll also prevent the device from being accidentally switched on while you're working.
CAUTION:
The power supplies used in PC systems are supplies in which high low voltages aren't positively separated. It's therefore possible to encounter 220 volts anywhere within the power supply. You'll only need to open the power supply unit to install a new ventilation fan. Any power supply repairs should be left to a qualified technician.
Position the components carefully
Ensure that your keyboard is stored in a safe place. Users often move the keyboard aside if it isn't being used. Consequently, it can fall off the desktop. Also, remember the cables and power cords found behind your PC include your monitor cable. Therefore, placing your monitor too close to the edge of the monitor stand or table may lead to disaster.
Be very careful with power cords
Try to keep your floor as free of cords and cables as possible. You may want to place your power strip on your table or desktop. Make certain your cords are long enough so they have some slack. Especially when you're still trying out new components before installing them permanently.
Keep food, liquids and cigarettes away from the computer
Avoid spilling coffee, soft drinks, or other beverages onto the motherboard. Cigarette smoke can also damage your PC.
If a screw is difficult to tighten, check whether its thread matches that of the nut or mounting hole. The length of screws is also important. Various hard drives, for example, must be mounted with extremely short screws. Longer screws may penetrate too far into the housing and permanently damage electronic components on the interior.
Frequently screws can fall into the power supply unit through the fan opening. Place all small screws and parts in an appropriate container, such as a paper cup.
If you drop something immediately stop whatever you're doing until you've located it. Screws that fall into the power supply through the ventilation slot could eventually cause serious damage to the power supply of the computer long after you've forgotten the screw.
Never place tools in your PC. It's very easy to forget something that subsequently may lead to serious problems. It is best to reserve a certain area on your worktable solely for your tools. Then the tools are always handy and easily found.
You should always write down settings before you make changes. For example, when changing DIP switch or jumper settings, CMOS setup, write down or draw the original configuration BEFORE changing that configuration.
Test everything before reassembling
Don't reassemble your PC until you're absolutely certain that everything runs and your PC is working properly.
This can be particularly helpful when adding floppy or hard drives to your system. Ensure that you did not forget anything. Are the circuit boards screwed down tight? Are the cables correctly reattached? Are there any remaining screws?
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