What are the guidelines for opening up a computer case/tower?

i want to add more memory to my computer but i dont want to hand it to someone and let them do it because i dont want to may 50 bucks. So i want t do it myself but my friend told me that there are some guidelines before i open the computer. So I was wondering if someone can give me those guidelines so i dont mess up my computer. thanksWhat are the guidelines for opening up a computer case/tower?
just make sure to wear anti-static wrist strap or if you don't have one, ground yourself by touching any unpainted metal object to discharge any static electricity in your hands. make sure too that you work on a non-carpeted surface so that any rubbing won't ionize any part of your body. wood is a nice work table.What are the guidelines for opening up a computer case/tower?
Static electricity is going to be your biggest foe. Generally, you can safely open it without worrying about anything, but I do know that you can fry some crucial components on a system if you discharge static into them..





So, touch the doorknob or something metal to get rid of that problem before you open it up.





Also, make sure you are not using a magnetized screw driver to pop it open.





When you install memory, it should go in relatively smoothly. If you are forcing anything in the case to go somewhere, you will break your computer. RAM slots usually have tabs that you need to move to make sure the memory goes in properly. Look at your existing RAM to see how that works.





Other than that, you should be fine.
The only way touching a doorknob (as Pete said) would help is if the doorknob is grounded. You want to drain any possible static charge by touching GROUNDED bare metal.





A magnetic screwdriver will only really bother if you get too close to the hard drive (or any floppy disks) since most aren't highly magnetized (super magnets). but a non-magnetized screwdriver IS best to work around your computer. Oh, did you know that most (if not all) hard drives actually have 2-4 super magnets in them anyway? They're part of the head positioning mechanism.





While you have it open, also watch for any dust building up, especially on the CPU heatsink, and remove it. You should do this check every few months anyway, depending on how dusty the computer's environment is.
Turn off the computer, leave it plugged in but TURN OFF at the wall. This will keep the case grounded. Open the side and keep yourhand on the metal of the case to keep grounded. then install or do whatever you want to do





REMEMBER TO TURN OFF AT THE WALL SOCKET - this isolates the power but keps the earth connection
1. Unplug


2. If it's a standard case, unscrew the side panel and slide it off.


3. Touch some metal to discharge yourself.


4. Put memory in and put it all back together.





*Note about #2, I have no idea what computer you have.. so some computer cases can be ridiculously difficult and non logical to open the first time. That usually doesn't happen anymore with newer computers.
crucial.com has step by step instructions on their site. but just be sure you're grounded so static electricity doesn't cause a problem. the install guides are on the right side of this page in a drop down menu. http://www.crucial.com/store/listmodule.鈥?/a>