Avoiding static shock when opening new cases

[HereticSin]

Just watched a bit of the recent live "Hive Mind Setup Build".  Linus got an electrical shock when opening the case and said he has never found a solution to preventing this from happening.  I work in a computer store and have been building computers for 20 years and I have a solution to this problem that has worked flawlessly for me over these years.

 

When you open the box, turn it upside down and pull the box off (just like Linus did in the video).  Keep the styrofoam on for now and either poke a hole in the plastic bag or reach in through the top and touch the metal on the case.  While holding onto the metal of the case pull the styrofoam off and never let go of the metal.  With the styrofoam off you can pull the bag off, but make sure you don't let go of the metal  on the case (You may have to switch arms if you poked a hole in the bag instead of reaching in the opening of the bag).  Once you have the styrofoam and bag away from the case either on another table or on the floor, you can let go of the case and you should have successfully avoided the electrical shock.

 

Not sure if this will help anyone or if anyone will read it, but it's just a little trick I've used for a long time and hasn't let me down.  Would be cool if Linus himself sees this but if anyone that pass this along to him that would be cool as well since this would help him out too and maybe let others know this trick too.

 

Thanks!

Colin King

[porina]

I do the same effectively. However you do it, keep touching a metal part of the case while you remove the plastic parts. Depends on how it is packed of course. This essentially balances out the static charge, so you can't generate a differential and get a shock.

[NumLock21]

The other way is to grab on to the case while it's in the box and lift it out. Another way is to touch the case with a screw driver.