My apologies, to Jean Bourvic and to anyone who might have been confused.
 I didn't read his post carefully enough.  I thought he was referring to
the wrist strap as the grounding wire when I warned that "this could be
dangerous - using a home-made grounding wire".  Jean was, in fact,
referring to grounding the computer.  He was not referring to providing a
wrist strap ground (for ESD measures).  On the contrary to what I posted
earlier, Jean's advice to use a grounding strap from the unit to the ac
outlet ground in lieu of using the power cord is *quite* sound - and an
excellent safety measure.

In fact, I'll start using the same method myself.  It sure beats taking the
chance of getting zapped accidentally.  You don't have to choose between
risking your own safety or that of the computer you're working on.  W/
Jean's advice, you get to have both.


Joan Rapier
[log in to unmask]


Jean Bourvic Wrote:  "Build your own grounding wire.  Connect the alligator
clip to
the metal chassis of the computer and plug the banana plug into the
ground pin socket of the ac outlet.  You now have a grounded chassis
without any ac power applied.  And when you use your wrist strap, any
static voltages that may be try to develop on your body will be
dissipated through the grounding wire of the AC power system to earth
ground."

         The PCBUILD web site always needs good submissions.  If
          you would like to contribute to the website, send any
               hardware tech tips or hardware reviews to:
                           [log in to unmask]