LapTop Guys

[Fyron]

Or just take out the battery and touch a metal plate before working... ESD straps are the snake oil of computer maintenance.

[Xrati]

They work, use em!

[Fyron]

Clean rooms at least have a physically sound principle behind them, even if they are generally excessive for most of the stuff they get used for..

Originally Posted by Xrati

They work, use em!

They work at giving you a false sense of security, all while lining the pockets of the strap fatcats! Seriously though, where is this mystical static charge going to come from? Once you touch a conductor once, it's gone. Just standing there, working on the PCB, you aren't going to accrue any new charge..

[Atrocities]

Thanks guys. Odd thing, when I opened it up today the key was back in place and working fine. I don't know how, but evidently closing the monitor popped the key back into socket or something. No matter how it happened I am greatfull that it has.

[Suicide Junkie]

Originally Posted by Fyron

Seriously though, where is this mystical static charge going to come from?

From that fuzzy sweater you're wearing, when you move your arms.

Strip down for safety!

[narf poit chez BOOM]

Originally Posted by Fyron

Clean rooms at least have a physically sound principle behind them, even if they are generally excessive for most of the stuff they get used for..

They work at giving you a false sense of security, all while lining the pockets of the strap fatcats! Seriously though, where is this mystical static charge going to come from? Once you touch a conductor once, it's gone. Just standing there, working on the PCB, you aren't going to accrue any new charge..

Well, you know, you could be wearing socks and standing on a carpet...

...Which is more of a PEBKAC issue.