How can i protect myself against static?

[Fatboy_Rob]

Well, since i am getting a new PC, and ive seen what happend to someone, who touched his motherboard & shocked it with static, and it killed the motherboard.

I love to tinker with PC's, and even just touching the parts.
I like keeping my things in tip-top shape, meaning cleaning the fans once every 2 weeks, defragging once a week, the whole 9 yards.

i havent thought about the static problem until just now, so, until i get an Anti-Static Wriststrap.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16899261005

What can i do to protect myself until then?
:ps: i have carpet

[Shifter]

Well, if you building your own PC the motherboard usually comes in a static proof bag, The only thing you really need to do is make sure at lease one hand is on the computer case at all times, and if possible try to avoid any static producing surfaces, Static rarely effects your computer. Before I found out what static could do to your pc, I used to fiddle with the m/b take it out and put a new one in and had no idea that static was a problem, My PC has worked ever since. But I would still be warely and take any precautions just incase.

[UberPwner]

Plus,

Just touch another metal object nowhere near your computer to remove the static, or use some kind of gloves i think you can get or soemthing..

im not sure, but NUM 1 works good.

[cDa]

U can get anti static wrap or do as i do, when u unplug pc just before u start to take its guts out place one hand at backside of pc for5 seconds, this will deplete all static u have in yer hands.

[Gandalf]

About 20 years ago there was huge hype about static. Computers should be kep shut at all times, and only handled when putting you chair on a special carpet, wearing anti-static bracelets and making sure everything was dust-free. Then I visited a guy who assembled computers and repaired TV sets. Parts were spread out anywhere on the working table and clouds of dust flying around. 
Thing is to unplug your PC whenever you open it, and wait a few minutes before working on it. Touch some metal to release any static. And never touch the condensators on your motherboard. They can hold 5.000 volt and do more damage than any static. 

[cDa]

True... remember storry: Dont touch mettalic connectors of cards?
these?

guy who was my mentor when i started to work said this, get a piece of newspaper and rub it... why? to clean it, but they say that damages connectors?
i've been doing it for 10 yrs, still workin,


And yes,as i saw during my 3 work yrs, when someone comes to shop with broken memmory banks, 99% time they just need good scrubbing...

So ill repeat myself, just let computer unpluged for 5 mins, touch back side to ground yourself, and start digging cpu guts!

And one warning, what ever u do, dont touch top of theese(metalic exposed top)

, 1st they store large ammounts of power, 2nd they short when u touch exposed parts with metalic object.

[Watti]

That is the.. Shocking truth

lol Static affect computers loL!!

i didnt know that... Shockingly

[Brains]

Look at this protection :o
 

[The_Wolf]

Lol,you should do that,lol,it may blow up your house
             -TheLegend

[WDoyle]

Hayden in all advice over here in the United Kingdom we have an earth pin on our plugs.
To make yourself protected against static here, We would usually place your hand on a radiator for 5 seconds to ground any static in your body to the earth causing yourself " To Discharge ".
This method is cheap All you need is a radator and a pair of hands then you can do it.

Regards
Haldir