Comments on: How to Clean a Computer

on 8/14/2008 You can tell the difference between ATA or IDE by the power plugs on the hard drive or disc drive. IDE devices have a wider socket for the power plug and have four large holes for the pins to go into. ATA devices have a thin port and you can barely see the little holes where the smaller pins go in. The wires for IDE devices that are on the power supply are also larger and more round than the ones for ATA. ATA wires are almost flat. They are often a different color too.

on 5/26/2008 WEAR AN ANTISTATIC WRIST STRAP. They are less than $15 at most computer stores and can prevent static charge shocks. There are wired ones that clamp a wire to the metal frame of your case and wireless ones. There are also antistatic pads to lay the computer on while it is open. I take these precautions and have no trouble using a mini vacuum. I also always use them when upgrading parts too.

on 4/23/2008 I would not recommend using a vacuum at all. this can cause 2 things.

1: can suck up any jumpers that your motherboard uses.that configures your motherboard
2: can create static electricity thus causing an Electro-static discharge.

To Answer Maailiang's question: Now a days there is no difference between IDE and ATA. how you would tell these interfaces apart from the newer SATA interfaces. are the IDE/ATA cables are a wide flat ribbon cable.(Usually white or gray in color) While the SATA cables are smaller and alot narrower.(Usually Red in color)


HTH :)

on 3/25/2008 How do I tell the difference between ATA or IDE?