Page 113 - Computer

(vii) To prolong the service life of your providing a safe path for any accumulated
hardware and reduce the need for charge to dissipate to the ground. Figure
costly repairs or replacements. 6.1 shows the image of the antistatic wrist

strap. Computer Science
Tools for performing computer
FOR ONLINE READING ONLY
maintenance
Computer maintenance requires both
physical and soft tools. Some of these
tools include solvents (e.g., ethanol/
hydrogen peroxide), soft-bristle brush
such as a clean, unused soft brush,
compressed air can, or an air compressor.
Other tools are lint-free cloths or paper
towels, electrostatic discharge or anti- Figure 6.1: Antistatic wrist strap
static wrist strap, data backup software,
anti-virus, and anti-malware software. It is advisable to exercise caution when
opening a computer system, by utilising
Electrostatic Discharge the ESD or antistatic wrist strap. This

Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) is the precautionary measure helps reduce the
sudden flow of electricity between two potential discharge of static electricity,
electrically charged objects, typically hence minimising the possibility of
caused by contact or an electrical harm to critical components, such as
short circuit. ESD occurs when static computer motherboards, graphics cards,
electricity accumulates on one object and memory modules. Therefore, before
and then discharges to another object disassembling the internal component, it
with a different electrical potential. is very important to wear a small case
ESD can damage sensitive electronic antistatic wrist strap.
components and devices, often leading to Types of computer system
malfunctions or permanent damage. To
prevent electrostatic discharge, especially maintenance
when working with sensitive electronic The common types of computer system
components, it is essential to wear wrist maintenance are preventive maintenance,
straps with grounding cords properly corrective maintenance, and routine
connected to a grounded surface. The maintenance. These categories of
wrist strap ensures that both you and your computer system maintenance will be
body have the same electrical potential, elaborated in more detail in the next
preventing static charge buildup and section.

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