mat

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bob

Does anyone know where I can get a mat for testing motherboards? I
saw one at this computer shop, but I don't know where they got it.
 
Does anyone know where I can get a mat for testing motherboards? I
saw one at this computer shop, but I don't know where they got it.
Click to expand...

I have spoken with several people who assemble systems (for a living) and
they mostly use either a telephone directory (in the UK - can't speak for
other parts of the world) or a fairly thick newspaper.

I also stopped using an antistatic wriststrap (on my own pcs - but I do on
other peoples, just in case) ever since I saw the way components such as
memory and pci cards were all thrown (literally) into boxes at computer
fairs for the public to rummage through.
 
Does anyone know where I can get a mat for testing motherboards? I
saw one at this computer shop, but I don't know where they got it.
Click to expand...


Depending on the tech used to make the mat antistatic, it is
a bad idea to use one. Normally a mat like this has a woven
metal layer in it to provide a high resistance drain of
static charge. The problem is this is not the correct
surface to put a motherboard on as this conduction can
actually cause a board to fail to post - I have come across
boards that would not POST while on such a mat or similarly
on one type of ESD bag the board was packaged in.

It depends how the board is laid out, what through-hole
parts are sticking up on the back... you might find board
after board works fine then suddenly one has a problem being
on the mat and it is then too easy to assume the board is
bad when it was only the mat. At least none of those I
found wouldn't post, were damaged, it was only a temporary
condition.
 
wasbit said:
I have spoken with several people who assemble systems (for a living) and
they mostly use either a telephone directory (in the UK - can't speak for
other parts of the world) or a fairly thick newspaper.
Click to expand...

The first time I read that, I thought you were replying to tell the OP to go
and look up a company in the phone book! lol. I thought you meant they used
the phone directory or newspaper to look for companies selling computer
equipment. Just my mind getting the wrong end of the stick again. Thought I
would share that!
 
kony said:
Depending on the tech used to make the mat antistatic, it is
a bad idea to use one. Normally a mat like this has a woven
metal layer in it to provide a high resistance drain of
static charge. The problem is this is not the correct
surface to put a motherboard on as this conduction can
actually cause a board to fail to post - I have come across
boards that would not POST while on such a mat or similarly
on one type of ESD bag the board was packaged in.

It depends how the board is laid out, what through-hole
parts are sticking up on the back... you might find board
after board works fine then suddenly one has a problem being
on the mat and it is then too easy to assume the board is
bad when it was only the mat. At least none of those I
found wouldn't post, were damaged, it was only a temporary
condition.
Click to expand...

What about a couple of upside-down mousemats? Rubber bottomed, cheap,
portable, easily moved for other jobs.

Is leather conductive? How about one of those old fashioned leather desk
cover things.
 
Does anyone know where I can get a mat for testing motherboards? I
saw one at this computer shop, but I don't know where they got it.
Click to expand...

I use a 3/8" piece of plyboard, which provides clearance for the cards to
fit.

Jon
 
Somewhere on teh interweb Jon Danniken typed:
I use a 3/8" piece of plyboard, which provides clearance for the
cards to fit.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I have an old bread board that I use sometimes, just slightly larger
than an ATX mobo. As you say, the bit of height allows cards to be fitted
with their 'tongues' hanging over the edge.

Mind you, I also have a pull-out mobo tray out of an old case that has a
backplane for holding the cards. I mostly use that as I also have a small
LED/switch/beeper panel and leads from an old PC hot-glued to it so I can
plug those in too. Handy if there's no on-board beeper and you need to
trouble-shoot. Just screw in three or four screws to hold the mobo in place
and Bob's yer Uncle. It is my opinion that anyone who works with computers,
even on a casual basis, would be well-served by finding a pull-out mobo tray
and an LED/switch/beeper panel.
 
What about a couple of upside-down mousemats? Rubber bottomed, cheap,
portable, easily moved for other jobs.
Click to expand...

Possibly if they were big enough but the typical sizes
aren't wide enough for a full width motherboard.
Is leather conductive? How about one of those old fashioned leather desk
cover things.
Click to expand...

Leather might work too, but either of these aren't so
necessary as a lot of cheaper and more common things ranging
from paper to wood will also work and are easier to use for
attaining another important parameter - raising the board up
high enough that installed cards' brackets clear the
desktop. A random measurement shows you need about 10mm
lift for that. Another factor is that some boards aren't
flat on the bottom, having things like 'sink mounting tabs
or brackets so either unequal heights or a compressible
surface wouldbe ideal, but maybe using something ideal isn't
worth the bother so long as it doens't conduct
electricity... lots of people get by just throwing the board
on top of the box it came in or directly on the (non-metal)
desktop.
 
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