Q: I just felt an electric shock when grabbing for a RAM chip that will be installed in a laptop. Do you think it will still work? I will test it tonight and post my observations.
A: Yes, you have to worry about static electricity! With a desktop, you just touch the metal frame of the computer case.(UN-PLUGGED from AC source of electricity! It's best this way, without a long explanation.) With a laptop, this isn't the case. With either form of computer, you should work on a table top, not your bed, the couch, or directly on a carpet floor. Static! Always handle ram memory by the sides, or top. Try to never touch the gold plated contact pins. The ram stick is coated with a see-through plastic, everywhere but on the pins. ('Natch!) So you may be alright! I have a $8 ESD wriststrap I bought. I've seen 'em advertised at Radio Shack, here in the US. Prices I have seen, all over, vary from $4 to $12 bucks. Put the wriststrap on the opposite hand you work with most. (Right-handed? Put it on your left wrist.) Attach the alligator clip to a metallic object. Should be a source of a good ground. Even a metal table leg will do it. (I've seen where tech's attach the clip to an ESD anti-static pad. This pad plugs into a AC receptacle. NOT ME BUB! Lightning outside? If a lightning bolt hits outside close to the house, guess where it's bound to go? It splays out, and each 'leader' finds a source of ground. One of them could be the utility pole outside which feeds electricity to your house. Your wrist could wind up being the last source of ground!) Always De-static yourself, before handling delicate computer hardware components, should you not have an ESD wriststrap. Don't take them out of their anti-static bags until you do. If you get up and walk away, then return, de-static yourself again.