i wouldnt, do it bare handed just make sure to touch the side of the case before trying to install the ram into the computer, also make sure that your not trying to install the ram on carpet. when i install parts into a computer i like to make sure that my wrist or elbow is touching the case at all times to keep me grounded.Can I wear latex gloves when installing my desktop RAM to protect against static?
ABSOLUTELY NOT - latex is an insulator and so is prone to *generating* static, which is just the opposite of what you want.
The best answer is a correctly grounded antistatic wrist strap - and to have the PC chassis grounded at the same time.
You can usually get by with:
- ground the PC case (you can do this safely by plugging in its power cord, but BE SURE TO turn off the hard power switch at the back of the power supply; if there is no hard power switch, then unplug the power supply from the motherboard). If you follow the rest of this carefully, this step is optoinal (but still recommended), as all that is really necessary is to bring you, the PC case, and the RAM to the *same* potential. .
- put the RAM in its package on the bare metal of the PC chassis. This brings the RAM, in its package, to the same static potential as the PC.
- touch the PC chassis with a bare finger. This brings your body to the same potential as the PC chassis. It's actually best if you keep contact with the PC chassis as much as possible.
- open the RAM package. When done, set the DIMM on the PC chassis.
- touch the PC chassis again. Keep touching it with one hand while you pick up the RAM with the other and bring it in contact with the slot.
- install the RAM. At this point you can use both hands.
This procedures ensures that there are no drastic changes in static potential except while the RAM is in its protective packaging.
Do not discount the need for anti-electrostatic discharge procedures. I've seen reports from PC shops that went from ';ad hoc'; procedures to constant use of anti-ESD wrist straps and immediately saw their ';return'; rates drop by 50%. I've seen photomicrographs of ESD-damaged traces; the holes in them looked like craters on the Moon.
...added later:
In response to the ';PC cowboys'; who regularly install CPUs, RAM, etc., without a thought to anti-ESD procedures, and claim ';it's never been a problem!';:
What you're not seeing is the *later* problems. Low-level ESD might not cause an immediate problem - but - tests by NASA and many others have absolutely proven that it causes increased failure rates. That means more problems down the road.
Take two trays full of CPUs, or DIMMs, or whatever. Handle one set according to strict anti-ESD protocol. Handle the other set ';casually.'; The latter set may well show no immediate failures, since almost all modern components do include static protection diodes on all pins.
BUT. If you then put both sets of parts through standard accelerated aging tests (slight over- and under-voltages, thermal cycling, etc.). You will find that the ESD-protected parts last MUCH longer. Even for old bipolar parts like TTL, which were originally thought to be immune to ESD.
For some parts this can happen at ESD levels of under 20 volts! You can generate that much static just by moving your arm through the air!
Those photomicrographs I referred to above? Those were on chips that did have static protection diodes. The holes blasted in the traces usually left enough of the traces to still conduct, so the parts still worked. But with far lowered reliability.
Studies like these have been done on every IC technology since the 70s (when MOS first made anti-ESD absolutely necessary) and the results have always been the same. NASA accepts these results. So does everyone in the electronics industry.
Why are PC builders so reluctant to do so? Probably because they don't associate later failures with their earlier casual work; indeed, have no means to do so.
It may also be that most of the machines they work on get replaced within the lowered MTBF, so the lowered MTBF doesn't have that much of an impact.
But as I said, I'm aware of several PC shops that went from ';meh, who cares'; to good anti-ESD and saw their failure-in-the-first-year rates drop by HALF.
An ESD wrist strap, complete with coiled cord and ground clip, costs around 10 dollars. I can't understand why people are so reluctant to use them - and are so unwilling to accept the PROVEN need for their use. I guess they just like being cowboys.
Wearing latex is unnecessary. Wear latex gloves is almost equal to not wearing anything at all. All you have to do is to wear an anti-static wristband or touch metal before you install the RAM. I do recommend taking your shirt off during the operation if possible because shirts can generate a lot of static electricity, especially if it is made of synthetic faberic.
While working position your work area to somewhere you are comfortable with. Don't put your computer on carpet while working because carpets can generate a lot of static electricity.
For a tutorial on how to install RAM click here-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npX47gX8i鈥?/a>
i installed ram tons of times, follow these steps very carefully and nothing will happen
1 make sure u wear short sleeve
2turn the psu off from the back of the desktop
3unplug the cooord
4push the on button for the comp a couple times, youll see your comp try and boot up then stop as any remaining power left in your motherboard is used up
5 touch anything metal with your hands to get any static off you
6install the ram clipping it on
7replug the coord turn on the psu switch and boot up comp and your good
I have, literally, installed hundreds of components including terabytes of RAM. Static is never an issue, unless you're so charged up you'd light up a bulb.
The static thing is just hype, and latex wouldn't change things anyway.
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