Re: Grounding on the //gs

[Rubywand <rubywand@swbell.net>]

Lockar writes ...
> 
>     I'm sorry guys, that was a typo..  ::: shakes his head at his bad
> typing ::  I it should have read: "I went to plug the 3.5 drive in the
> unit (smart port, with it off mind you, but it was still plugged in)
> and I tapped the sides f both connecters (missed plugging it in, and
> the two sides hit each other) and there was a small spark."
> 
>    Just to clearfy more, what hit was the sides of the two conectors
> for I missed plugging it in, and the sides hit each other.  The I moved
> the drive cable to plug it in right, and the spark followed.  Then I
> took the cable away to make sure the //gs was really off.  It was off,
> and I am well aware of what static can do to computers.  I have had to
> replace memory chips in my Apple ][+ in my time because of static.
> 
>    It did not do any damage to the drive for I have the drive on
> another computer and is working perfectly.  As for the //gs it comes
> out and looks for a boot device.  There isn't one because I am afraid
> to hook one up.  With out some more input on this.
> 
 ....

     Sounds like you got a static discharge from the drive plug shield to the
IIgs connector shield. Usually, that won't hurt anything; the discharge is
almost entirely between lumps of metal and no high voltage appears across IC
gates, etc.. 

     Where you could have problems is making a connection and having a static
discharge hop from, say, the plug shield to one of the input pins on the IIgs
socket.

     The metal shielding, power supply case, etc. of the IIgs are almost
certainly grounded via the ground lead in the power cord. Touching the side
of the plastic case may get you a static spark; but, it's pretty unlikely to
hurt anything inside. Touching the mouse or KB first and getting a spark is a
little different since the discharge path is less diffused.

     If your IIgs is in a dry, static-prone location, especially if you have
nylon carpeting, then, touching some harmless place to discharge static
before touching the mouse or KB is a good idea.


Rubywand