Drive handling

CAUTION: The solid-state drive inside the Slate is a fragile component that must be handled with care. To prevent damage to the Slate, damage to the solid-state drive, or loss of information, observe these precautions:

Before handling the Slate, be sure that you are discharged of static electricity.

Avoid dropping the Slate from any height onto any surface.

Avoid exposing the Slate to temperature extremes or liquids.

If the Slate must be mailed, place it in a bubble pack mailer or other suitable form of protective packaging and label the package “FRAGILE.”

Grounding guidelines

Electrostatic discharge damage

Electronic components are sensitive to electrostatic discharge (ESD). Circuitry design and structure determine the degree of sensitivity. Networks built into many integrated circuits provide some protection, but in many cases, ESD contains enough power to alter device parameters or melt silicon junctions.

A discharge of static electricity from a finger or other conductor can destroy static-sensitive devices or microcircuitry. Even if the spark is neither felt nor heard, damage may have occurred.

An electronic device exposed to ESD may not be affected at all and can work perfectly throughout a normal cycle. Or the device may function normally for a while, then degrade in the internal layers, reducing its life expectancy.

CAUTION: To prevent damage to the Slate when you are removing or installing internal components, observe these precautions:

Keep components in their electrostatic-safe containers until you are ready to install them.

Before touching an electronic component, discharge static electricity by using the guidelines described in this section.

Avoid touching pins, leads, and circuitry. Handle electronic components as little as possible.

If you remove a component, place it in an electrostatic-safe container.

The following table shows how humidity affects the electrostatic voltage levels generated by different activities.

CAUTION: A product can be degraded by as little as 700 V.

Preliminary replacement requirements

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