242
Chapter 15: Upgrading Your Notebook
www.gateway.com
Preventing static electricity
discharge
The components inside your notebook are extremely sensitive to static
electricity, also known as electrostatic discharge (ESD).
Before installing memory or replacing the hard drive, follow these guidelines:
■ Turn off your notebook.
■ Wear a grounding wrist strap (available at most electronics stores) and
attach it to a bare metal part of your workbench or other grounded
connection.
■ Touch a bare metal surface on your workbench or other grounded object.
■ Unplug the power cord and the modem and network cables.
■ Remove the battery. For more information, see “Changing batteries” on
page 153.
■ Disconnect all peripheral devices and remove any PC Cards.
Warning ESD can permanently damage electrostatic
discharge-sensitive components in your notebook. Prevent
ESD damage by following ESD guidelines every time you
install memory or replace the hard drive.
Warning To avoid exposure to dangerous electrical voltages and
moving parts, turn off your notebook and unplug the power
cord and modem and network cables before opening the
case.
Warning To prevent risk of electric shock, do not insert any object
into the vent holes of your notebook.