How to Avoid Destroying a Computer With...

Electrostatic discharge (ESD) is a fancy term for common static electricity. Getting a shock from the doorknob may not hurt you much, but the same kind of shock can put your computer in intensive care. Whenever you open the case to work on your PC's innards, you should be aware of ESD and how to avoid it.
Steps:
1. Wear an anti-static wristband, if possible. These are sold at most electronics stores. They provide a conductive path to ground which gets rid of the static charge before it has a chance to zap your precious PC.
2. If you don't have a wristband, just keep one hand in contact with the bare metal frame of the computer at all times (not a painted or coated surface). If the PC is grounded, touching its frame will ground you as well. To ensure the PC is grounded, make sure it is plugged into a power outlet with a 3-prong plug. You can safely do this AND keep the power to the PC off if there is a rocker switch on the back of the power supply. If not, it's not safe to work on the computer without the cord unplugged, and you should just buy an anti-static band.
3. As an alternative, buy another 3-prong cord and snip off the flat blades, leaving only the grounding portion of the plug. You may also purchase one of these cords already to go from several catalog outlets.
Tips:
1. The average person can carry up to 25,000 volts of static charge at any given time. This sounds like a lot, but because the current level is low, you usually won't notice it. Just because you touched the dog's nose and he didn't yelp, it doesn't mean you are safe from ESD. Follow safe ESD procedures any time you open a computer.
2. If the equipment is cold, wait until it has reached room temperature. ESD builds up much faster when it's cold and dry (low humidity).
Warnings:
1. If you don't take steps to prevent ESD, you may regret it. Your computer can sustain serious damage without you knowing it. CPUs and memory chips of any kind are highly vulnerable to ESD. If you fry your PC with static electricity, you may soon start to notice random memory errors, blue screens, and lock-ups. Normally, you can't see (or even feel) ESD, but it is almost always there, so be sure to do the right thing. Your PC will thank you!
2. Try not to open up computers on thick carpets, or while rubbing balloons in your hair, playing with long-haired dogs, emptying the dryer, etc. Use common sense - don't do anything that would cause you to get a shock from touching something made of metal.