What should you do before replacing any component in an HP computer?

Before replacing any component in an HP computer, it is essential to disconnect the power supply and ground yourself. This practice is crucial for several reasons.

Firstly, disconnecting the power supply ensures that no electrical current is flowing to the system, which significantly reduces the risk of electric shock or injury while working inside the computer. By ensuring the power is turned off, you protect both yourself and any sensitive components from accidental damage caused by static electricity or a power surge.

Grounding yourself is equally important because static electricity can cause irreparable damage to electronic components. By grounding yourself, you discharge any built-up static charge from your body, preventing it from transferring to delicate parts of the computer, such as the motherboard, RAM, or CPU.

While other choices may seem relevant, they do not address the immediate safety concerns linked to component replacement. For instance, while removing USB devices might prevent interruptions during the process, it’s not a fundamental safety step. Checking for software updates or backing up data, although important for system maintenance and data security, are not direct steps to take immediately before replacing hardware components. Thus, ensuring safety through disconnecting power and grounding is the foremost action to take in this scenario.