Laptop giving me static electric shocks!

**Kat Scorp** · January 31st, 2012, 07:22 PM

It's an Acer Aspire 5542, and just two freaking months beyond the warranty! Does anyone know what I can put the lappie onto to help ground it? I can't afford a new computer but for the last three days I've gotten a static "shock" on my fingers when I touch the bottom edges.

**sputnik** · January 31st, 2012, 07:29 PM

rubber gloves?

**Jezi** · January 31st, 2012, 08:45 PM

Does this happen when it's just on the battery and not plugged in?

Or only when it's plugged in?

If it's the latter, can you test it on another outlet?

Eta: If it's just on the battery, and you still have shocks, unfortunately your laptop is dying and there is nothing you can do to prevent these shocks. This also not fixable.

If you only get shocks when it's plugged in, it could be one of two things:

1: The power supply in you laptop.
2: Your electricity isn't properly grounded (anymore) in your house.

Try testing it in another location. If you still have the problem, the power supply is shot and can be replaced (I'd say about 50-100$). If you don't have the problem there, well, you'll need to call an electrician

**Kat Scorp** · February 1st, 2012, 07:37 PM

Thanks Jezi.. I'm really confused because the battery and the power cord input are both on the back of the laptop, and I'm getting the shocks when I touch the front edges... but the plug that connects the power cord into the laptop is actually a little bent because a couple weeks back I tripped on the cord and instead of pulling the laptop off the table, only (thankfully) the cord pulled out of the laptop. If you think the current can travel around the sides of the laptop when the plug has been bent, then I'm gonna skip the battery test and buy a new cord - I'm too chicken shit to do the test and deliberatly touch where it shocks me. :embarrassment:

**greysfang** · February 1st, 2012, 07:40 PM

I'm going to go out on a limb and say that's probably a bad thing. Don't quote me though.

**Jezi** · February 1st, 2012, 08:23 PM

Originally Posted by Kat Scorp

Thanks Jezi.. I'm really confused because the battery and the power cord input are both on the back of the laptop, and I'm getting the shocks when I touch the front edges... but the plug that connects the power cord into the laptop is actually a little bent because a couple weeks back I tripped on the cord and instead of pulling the laptop off the table, only (thankfully) the cord pulled out of the laptop. If you think the current can travel around the sides of the laptop when the plug has been bent, then I'm gonna skip the battery test and buy a new cord - I'm too chicken shit to do the test and deliberatly touch where it shocks me. :embarrassment:

^^That's probably it

if the connector is bent, it could be touching something inside it shouldn't. So buying a new cord can't hurt, an d it's a lot cheaper than replacing the whole laptop.

Originally Posted by greysfang

I'm going to go out on a limb and say that's probably a bad thing. Don't quote me though.

I quoted you.

**lulu09** · February 1st, 2012, 08:52 PM

same thing happened to me once. it was horrible. i looked online and a bunch of people said it was likely static electricity. not so in my case and the laptop ended up fried. it worked out ok in the end.....got a mac and won't go back!

**Chilly Willy** · February 2nd, 2012, 05:39 AM

I don't know what causes it, but that's kinda funny.

**Jezi** · February 3rd, 2012, 01:04 PM

Oh, By the way.. It could also be that besides a bent connector, something inside the power supply (in the laptop) has been damaged too. So If you've replaced the cable and you still get shocks... you'll have to have the powersupply replaced too. Most computer stores have repair services so you can try that.

**MohandasKGanja** · February 3rd, 2012, 01:08 PM

Definitely don't use your laptop in the bathtub until this gets fixed!

**Kat Scorp** · February 3rd, 2012, 07:02 PM

People take their laptops in the bathtub? Sounds like the start of Darwin Award story!

Oh, Jezi, if it's the inner workings of the lappie then I am screwed. Cheapest I can get the power cord is $79. None of the less expensive power cords online are sold by companies I trust with my bank details. Everything in Australia is more expensive... bananas are more expensive here than in the UK and they're GROWN here. We get arse reamed by the lack of competition because practically everything is owned by the Woolworths and Coles companies.

I can't get a new lappie w/o at least five months of renewed saving, nor can I afford the electrician's >$100 fee in addition to a power cord. *cracks sads*

**Jezi** · February 3rd, 2012, 07:52 PM

Ask around for a computer repair service. They shouldn't be too expensive.
See if you can find a nerd who can look at the laptop for you and if necessary replace parts.

If you don't get this fixed, what you'll end up with is a fried laptop...

I would do it for you but I'm on the other side of the planet

**MohandasKGanja** · February 5th, 2012, 03:46 PM

Originally Posted by Kat Scorp

People take their laptops in the bathtub? Sounds like the start of Darwin Award story!

That was definitely said with tongue in cheek.

Related to the shorting equipment issue - I had my dad's old electric hedge trimmer and I was using it around my house last summer. It actually had an all-metal casing, which you don't see any more, and for probably good reason. Anyway, I had turned it off and put it down for a second to clear some branches. My bare leg brushed against it and I got shocked. And not a small shock either. I was pretty freaked out. I dropped it straight in the trash can that was going out the next morning.

And one more story - Keith Relf, the original lead singer of the Yardbirds (British group where Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck got their start), was killed by an improperly grounded electric guitar.