Miscellaneous laptop discussions : My computer is shocking me
My computer is shocking me
by btnewman - 2/27/07 12:56 PMAt Thanksgiving I bought an Acer Aspire 5100 - one of the door busters at Circuit city.
This is the first computer that is "mine" and the first laptop I have used with any regularity.
Occasionally, I find that when I set it down one of my fingers will feel what I assume is a tiny jolt of electricity. It seems to come from the side, or occasionally underneath (perhaps where the battery is). I haven't approached this very scientifically since I don't want to do myself or the computer too much damage if I can help it. I think it only occurs when I move the computer from my lap to the table with the screen open. My husband also uses the computer and he has not complained.
Is this a defect?
Am I handling the computer incorrectly?
Thank you in advance
Teresa
...
by JackTheCrow - 2/27/07 6:38 PM In reply to: My computer is shocking me by btnewmanthere's a recent study going on amongst dell e1505-e1705 owners regarding mysterious stray voltages that can be detected on the bottom screws on the machine which may lead to some motherboard related problems and in rare cases, minor shock to the user. This can also happen to other laptop brands.
Many have theorized that this is caused by faulty grounding on the dell adapters where they used cheap two-prong devices versus 3 pronged grounded adapters. If you have a 2 prong adapter, getting a 3 prong adapter should solve your problem. If you have a 3 prong adapter, you should check if your socket has proper grounding. Many found that some 3 prong sockets aren't even properly grounded -- you can buy a device from your local hardware store to check this.
You can check for stray voltages by using a multimeter. Set the red lead on one of the screws on the bottom of the laptop and the other on something grounded and check if it reads something greater than .26 (or something of that range) volts.
If the problem persists, you can call Acer about this problem and they should send you either a new adapter (if you feel that this is causing the shock), or they may just replace your entire laptop. While the shock you receive may be just be a minor inconvenience - a ruined motherboard caused by stray voltage is something entirely more serious.
Thank you
by btnewman - 2/28/07 8:57 AM In reply to: ... by JackTheCrowJack, thank you for the information. Everything is 3 prong plug, but it could be the actual outlet. I appreciate you being specific in your post about what can happen and your instructions on how to rule out the options.
Teresa
Same problem
by pro_chaliha83 - 2/28/07 8:51 PM In reply to: My computer is shocking me by btnewmanI have a Toshiba M55-S325, and it's had its shares of problems, rapid slowing, crashing, random shtudowns...
But last week while I was writing my paper, it just randomly started shocking my when I touched any of the ports (USB, headphone, microphone, etc). But then the next day it stopped and it hasn't since...
MYSTERIOUS! lol
Shocking:
by Stabbing_The_Drama - 3/2/07 4:37 PM In reply to: Same problem by pro_chaliha83It's possible it's the battery static grounding itself via you, which would sugest inproper earthing, although this would probably stop the machine from booting up due to the static, try removing the battery and putting it back in to conduct any static from it? I personally would take it back asap though, it's obviously a fault of some kind.
Shocking - Static
by nova23 - 3/3/07 8:03 AM In reply to: Shocking: by Stabbing_The_DramaI have only owned laptops for a little over a month now, but have experience with 2 machines during that time. First I bought the Gateway MT-3705 then returned it within 2 weeks due to a sticking button. Now I have the Sony Vaio VGN-N250E. Both laptops shock me. It feels like a static electricity shock, similar to when you touch someone and get a shock.
I typically sit on my living room couch with the laptop in my lap, it never shocks me in this situation. When I stand up and begin to sit the laptop down on a table is when I often feel the shock (with the unit plugged in). I don't believe it to be a defect in the laptop since two different brands/models did the same thing. I would like to know what I can do to stop this as well as if this charge is putting the components of my laptop components at risk.
note: I have checked the polarity of the outlet and it is correct.
my laptop is shocking / electrocuting me, it's not STATIC!
by 1groovygroves - 8/7/08 3:11 PM In reply to: Shocking - Static by nova23I have a toshiba satellite a-75 series. I have been round and round with toshiba; they admit that the shock, which comes from the speakers and bottom screws is a problem, they had me send it off to a tech II level technician (at my expense) who said it was the adapter (two prong) so toshiba said they would send me a three prong; when the adapter came in (finally) it was two prong 
so I called back and spoke with another technician, he said they did not make a three prong but that that was not the problem, he said they didn't like to talk about it or admit it but that there was a law suite because they were having problems with some of the laptops electrocuting people because the motherboard was not grounded. He forwarded my call to another person who said they were sorry but even though they agree and are aware of my problem; there was a class action laws suite addressing the problems and the cut off time for there own liability was two months ago. I told them I had never been notified of any recall or class action law suite, and they sent me to another person who told me; that because they had already looked at my laptop and sent me a new (be it non grounded) adapter they had met the quota required by law for each user that had a faulty laptop. they went on to say there was nothing else they were willing to do for me. I am furious!! I told them the first tech. said there was really no problem with the laptop, but that the adapter was bad. they said "we are so sorry you are being shocked but we are not willing to do anymore for you, good by" and they hung up on me! I believe I am going to open up the laptop and see if I can see what is not 'grounded' on the motherboard. interesting enough; through out the past few month in dealing with toshiba I have been told everything from it's all in your head; to it's static, to "don't touch it, we don't want you being electrocuted" to, oh we hear this all them time, to we won't admit the problem exist. and to think.... It all started with a little prickly feeling out of my speakers onto my wrist, for the longest time I did think i was imagining it, then I thought it was a bent wire that was catching my skin, then I begin getting shocked by the screws on the back, and lastly the shock traveling up my arms, and I always feel a 'buzzing' feeling through the keyboard, mouse pad, and on the wrist rests. I covered the speakers with paper to keep my wrist safe. and yes, for the last poster, my fingertips always feel like they are numb or have fallen asleep. If any of you know how to ground the motherboard, I'd appreciate instructions. I hope toshiba is happy, they may have gained fifty bucks by not grounding my motherboard, but they have lost a customer for life and just maybe... (if my luck fails me) a customers life! if any of you want a shocking computer let me know, I think I can help you out!
That lawsuit is about electrostatic discharge
by Steven Haninger - 8/9/08 3:27 AM In reply to: my laptop is shocking / electrocuting me, it's not STATIC! by 1groovygrovescausing the laptops to crash, freeze up, etc. It's not about injury to users. It's not possible for you to get an electrical shock of the type described by your symptoms. You don't get tingling from anything but AC or RF voltages and RF is more of a burning sensation. You don't have AC on your plastic keyboard, mouse or palm palm rest. The only high voltage generated in a laptop is for the CF tube in the screen and it doesn't touch any other part or the laptop won't work. If you're getting a tingling sensation in your fingers, you have a medical problem and not a laptop problem. You need to seek help for that. You could have nerve damage or such but nothing that comes from the voltages within the laptop. Electrostatic discharge that affects PCs is generally not generated internally but by the user. This comes from a combination of factors such as dry air, clothing and movement...particularly that from sliding around in ones chair. An electrostatic discharge of this type does not tingle. It happens all at once. It startles but is of such low current that it's not life threatening. If you are having the symptoms you describe, you might want to see a doctor about this and not a lawyer.
The issue appears to be
by R. Proffitt
- 8/9/08 6:33 AM
In reply to: my laptop is shocking / electrocuting me, it's not STATIC! by 1groovygroves
Just you and this unit.
WHY NOT SELL IT AND GET SOMETHING YOU LIKE?
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