Static Discharge

You can discharge a cap by shorting it, but better to disconnect it from power source and let it discharge on it's own over time...
http://badcaps.net/forum/showthread.php?t=425
http://docs.oracle.com/cd/E19121-01/sf.x4150/820-1852-13/preparing-to-service.html#50515979_45987

The dielectric (insulating) material inside of a capacitor is never perfect, and this is especially true for electrolytic-type capacitors. Therefore, all capacitors self-discharge over time, their internal leakage resistance forming an RC time constant with their capacitance. This RC time constant is very long, and so the rate of discharge is typically very slow.

I think you may need to clarify your question; Electrostatic Discharge (ESD), is not something that usually causes a problem with large electrolytic capacitors, like the kind seen on a PC motherboard. The damage frequently caused by ESD, as it relates to electronic assemblies, is usually confined to semiconductor devices (IC's).

If you are referring to the issue of the capacitors going bad on computer motherboards, causing erratic operation, or even a dead computer, most of those problems were/are caused by bad parts. There is a lot of information on this on the internet, and a simple search for "bad capacitors motherboard" will give you a lot to read. One theory out there is that at least one or more capacitor manufacturer(s) used a bad formula when creating the dielectric liquid used in these caps, leading to their premature failure.

So, do you have a specific question in relation to capacitor failure on computer motherboards?

Tom D.