This sounds terrifying to me. I have got a new 'd' drive to install myself, and I am really going to try, or I was , until I saw some instructions about earthing myself, which I don't understand at all. Help! Can you explain the whys and wherefores of that? Thanks.

It means that you have to get rid of the static electricity that your body may contain. They sell special bracelets for that purpose, but I've always been told that touching the radiator before touching the insides of the PC works as well. And so far it has. The reason for earthing yourself is that the computer equipment is quite fragile and sensitive to even the smallest electrical charges.

Thanks Leau! That was quick! I shall have to find something else as we don't have radiators here. So do I have to touch that lots of times, or just once before I uncover the PC?
The whole thing terrifies me, as there are so many wires and things back there. But I am really going to try.Wish me luck.

Being a bit overcautious I keep touching the radiator as often as I can, I'm pretty sure less will do as well though. But if you hoover your carpet after opening the PC you might want to decharge yourself again before touching anything inside the PC. And as for the wires and things, just don't disconnect anything that you don't need to disconnect and you'll be fine.

If your computer case is metal, just rest your forearms on it while you're doing the work. (Make sure to touch arms to case before touching the insides of the computer or the part.)

And, as I believe Leau said, you can always buy a mat at a computer store. They keep the computer grounded and should come with a wire and something to attach the wire to your arm - this will keep you and the computer both grounded and the mats usually prevent static electricity.

The drive may have exposed electronics components on its underside. I always try to make sure these don't come into contact with any metal on the case. It probably wouldn't hurt but it's best not to tempt fate. I'm a radiator toucher myself but any pipes will do since they ususally go to earth somewhere. If the computer is plugged into the mains, touch the case since that will be earthed via the plug. Unplug it just before the job though, just to be safe.

The other thing you could do is to keep one leg in a bucket of water. This only works if you live on the ground floor though. Also, just before you put the new disk in, bring both hands together. This is not to make sure your hands are at the same potential as you might think. It is because this is the standard position to take up while whispering a silent prayer that all goes well.

The other thing to remember is that the last paragraph is only a joke.

Darn, I had wonderful visions of her with her foot in a bucket of water!

Hmm ...maybe I shouldn't have said it was a joke.

I use a grounding device that is attached to the screw cover of an electric outlet. When I touch the conducting part of the device an LED display flashes a lightning bolt if it is discharging any static from my finger (body).
It is fairly old but effective. Carpet generated static and low humidity are the culprits.
This device is made by MicroComputer Processors, Inc. but there are others available.

Another way to ground yourself (besides the bucket of water) is to attach a length of lamp cord to a cold water pipe and just run the other end of the cord to a convenient spot where you can touch the bare end of the wire occasionally. It's ugly, but effective.