Tom's Hardware > Forum > Motherboards & Memory > Memory > Cleaning a memory using an eraser will fry the RAM chips?

Cleaning a memory using an eraser will fry the RAM chips?

Forum Motherboards & Memory : Memory - Cleaning a memory using an eraser will fry the RAM chips?

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shengton   10-09-2008 at 07:54:49 PM

Hi Tom's Hardware experts, good day. :)

Every time I had a customer and if the problem is in the memory. I used to clean it with eraser, and viola, the computer will had a display again.

Questions:
1. Someone told me that rubbing an eraser to the memory contacts can fry the chips of memory module?
2. It's because rubbing an eraser across the connectors will produce a LOT of static electricity?

Do you think those are true?

Honestly I'm a bit doubt with his statement when he told that to me. I've already search in Google and found nothing that his statements are true.

Could someone tell me that his statements are true?

Thanks and God bless. :)


Message edited by shengton on 10-09-2008 at 08:17:56 PM
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alvine   10-09-2008 at 08:05:44 PM
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how can rubber build up static energy....? I think that's not true....

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orangegator   10-09-2008 at 08:09:20 PM
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alvine wrote :

how can rubber build up static energy....? I think that's not true....



Really? Try rubbing a balloon against your hair and see what happens?

To the op: Yes, the concern would be static electricity. A better way to clean them would be with rubbing alcohol and a q-tip.

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IH8U   10-09-2008 at 08:13:23 PM
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The eraser itself will not damage the RAM, however the rubbings from said eraser WILL! So I suggest rubbing alchohol, and Q-tips to clean them. Then blow the chips off with a can of air after they dry (gets any lint off them).

*Edit* Secondly the eraser is not putting off static, it is the Acids used in making them that damages the contacts. I have found out that a natural gum eraser will not damage the contacts, as they are made without acids. (can pick those up at an arts and crafts store, near drawing/painting supplies)


Message edited by IH8U on 10-09-2008 at 08:32:32 PM
Reply to IH8U
shengton   10-09-2008 at 08:43:22 PM
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@alvine, orangegator and IH8U
Thanks for your reply Sir. This is my next question.

Actually when talking about electronics thing. I have no knowledge about that. I read something that rubbing two materials will create a static electricity, am I right?

Questions:
1. You said that I have to use alcohol and Q-tips. Of course I have to rub it to clean the contacts of the memory. Is there an static electricity there?
2. So if I see something rubbing two materials should I call that static electricity?
3. Can you give me some basic information about static electricity?

Thanks and God bless.


Message edited by shengton on 10-09-2008 at 08:49:50 PM
Reply to shengton
IH8U   10-09-2008 at 09:02:06 PM
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The eraser itself cannot put off static (unless you are touching the metal around it). Also the Q-Tip cannot put off static (1. it's wet, 2. the handle is paper) basically rubber, paper, glass, plastics (most), and wood are insulators. The eraser damages it (pencil eraser) due to acids used in making them. This cannot be said of gum erasers like these: http://www.amazon.com/Natural-Rubb [...] 868&sr=8-2

Rubber in itself is an insulator (used to have rubber coated wires, now that has been relegated to plastics) so rubber itself cannot produce static (the balloon trick is actually charging the air trapped inside it, not the rubber itself).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Static_electricity
for more info on Static Electricity

Reply to IH8U
smartel7070   10-09-2008 at 09:25:40 PM
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I may sound dumb but ..... why do you need to clean mem chips ???

Sorry I just read that you use it to clean the contacts ....

Forget my question :pt1cable:


Message edited by smartel7070 on 10-09-2008 at 09:31:31 PM
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Shadow703793   10-09-2008 at 09:29:34 PM
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orangegator wrote :



To the op: Yes, the concern would be static electricity. A better way to clean them would be with rubbing alcohol and a q-tip.


+1 using Q tips and Alcohol.

------------------------------ http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2617/3815217176_0a5be7955d_o.gif
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3553/3818083596_1a772f7162_o.gif
 Reply to Shadow703793
shengton   10-10-2008 at 12:01:31 PM
- 0 +

Thanks IH8U for the information that you shared. It really helps a lot.

Reply to shengton
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