Protecting your Computer System
- Make notes as you work so that you can backtrack later if necessary.
- When unpacking hardware or software, remove the packing tape and cellophane from the work area as soon as possible.
- Keep components away from your hair and clothing.
- Keep screws and spacers orderly and in one lace, such as a cup or tray.
- Don't stack boards on top of each other: You could accidentally dislodge a chip this way.
- When handling motherboards and expansion cards, don't touch the chip on the boards. Hold expansion cards by the edges. Don't touch any soldered components on a card, and don't touch chips or edge connectors unless it's absolutely necessary.
- Don't touch a chip with a magnetized screwdriver
- Don't use a graphite pencil to change DIP switch settings, because graphite is a conductor of electricity, and the graphite can lodge in the switch.
- Always turn off your computer before moving it. A computer's hard drive always spins while it is on, unless it has a sleep mode. To protect disks, keep them away from magnetic fields, heat, and extreme cold.
Source: A+ Guide to Managing and Maintaining Your PC by Jean Andrews