I Melted Everything...

by Jessica
(OREGON)

As a Geek, you would think that I would have some experience with building computers. I could tell you everything that has to do with XHTML, and Anime and Manga and finding good ways to waste my time on the internet. However, I got put into a Computer Hardware class in High School, and somehow I managed to short out/melt/fry/crispify an entire list of these items:
-3 motherboards
-2 IDE Straps
-Power Supply
-Power Source
-Hard Drive
-AND a Floppy Drive

I felt really bad for the teacher, he liked that we were...I guess you could call it "Showing that we were at least learning something." But really he could not afford to keep me in his class because of everything that I kept messing around with. Don't get me wrong, I read the materials, I grounded myself, I wore an anti-static wrist strap, and yet somehow the Geek genes were not working for me in the slightest.

Instead I got into web design, and the years went by, until my best friend learned just how much I DID NOT know about computers. He sat me down and took apart an old tower that he had. He ran me through the names of the parts as he took them out. And made sure to tell me the hazards of which parts I needed to look out for.

Owing to the fact that he was there when I was in my previous disaster class (we became good friends later on). So he knew my reputation and wanted to help me keep from blowing myself up in a fiery death of computer wrath. I couldn't remember most of the names he told me for the parts, and I'm still not sure what most of them do, but I am a visual learner-so if there was one thing I did remember it was where everything went once he showed me.

Screwdriver in hand, I set about first taking things apart, and then carefully putting them back in-and in the right order. My best friend watched over my shoulder just to be sure. In no time, I was able to put the computer together blindfolded-literally, I tried it, and it works fine.

So if nothing else, if you have trouble and you're just starting out. Remember to have someone with you so you're kept safe, and ground yourself (touch something metal to dispel static-or wear an Anti-Static wrist strap). I would also suggest-that when testing for the first time: MAKE SURE THE COMPUTER IS UNPLUGGED AND TURNED OFF! That always helps...and learn to experiment-explore the computer parts to make sure you know where they go. It's ok to screw up, IT WILL HAPPEN!