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It's that time of year again where I frequently find myself stocking things with static electricity. The only grounded object around my desk that I can use to discharge myself is my computer case.
However, shocking the case frequently causes my USB keyboard and mouse to stop working for a few seconds.
My understanding is that the power supply should connect the case to the ground pin of the wall outlet, harmlessly dissipating any static shocks to it. So it's a bit worrying that my stocks are doing something.
Should I be worried? How can I either fix this issue, or diagnose it further to see what part of the computer (or even the outlet) is the issue?
Colonel Thirty Two
Posted 2016-11-22T14:01:33.683
Reputation: 101
1Well, probably is the answer. Giving more electricity to your computer than it can handle is never a good idea, and I'd say you've been lucky so far that the effects are only temporary. If you keep it up, you run a heavy risk of frying your motherboard or any other components inside. Find something else to ground yourself, get an anti-static bracelet, anything else aside from your PC case. – Kaizerwolf – 2016-11-22T14:11:16.970
@Kaizerwolf I did some looking for anti-static wrist straps. The only ones I've found have an alligator clip with the instructions "attach to a metal part of your PC case" which is unhelpful. I've been unable to find any that connect to an outlet ground. Any suggestions? – Colonel Thirty Two – 2016-11-22T16:13:11.260
Unfortunately, having only used other methods of anti-static (grounding myself before entering a clean room for work), I can't be much more help. From what I can tell, however, grounding to your PC case actually makes it so you and your PC match in voltage, removing any chance of static buildup. – Kaizerwolf – 2016-11-22T18:47:22.900