Comments on: Dell laptops in electric-shock shocker

Several CNET UK staff were hit with an electrical charge while using Dell's new XPS M1530--and we're not the only ones.

[xZero2007x]

Actually my inspiron e1705 from 2006 shocks me too

As the subject already states, I've been getting electrical shocks from my laptop as well, though it's not from the XPS line. It's been happening more on the corners than with any other place on the laptop, and to be frank, it's quite annoying. I called up the dell support team, thinking my 4 yr warranty would take care of it, but they sure do like living up to their crappy name. They told me that it's just a static shock and that I shouldn't worry about it.
..bull crap. Hopefully, I'll use your guys' findings to leverage my next call with them.

[Prasanna K]

Dell Latitude610 and Vostro1000 gives me shock

Folks,

I have been using Dell Latitude for the last 4 years and I was living with the shocks, bcos I was told it was static.

When I bought Vostro1000 in sep/oct 07, I realized it is a grave feature provided by Dell

Going forward I would not suggest anyone to buy Dell Laptops unless they come up with any kind of corrective measures

[Ron Scharf]

2 or 3-prong?

Just got my M1330 yesterday, and the power supply has a 3-prong connection to the mains...
No shocks thus far.

[sekira]

Dell replaced the power adapter...

I used to think that the shocks were static, but then I started getting shocks via the keyboard of my XPS M1210. Lodged a report to Dell, and their customer service support offered a one-to-one exchange of the power adapter. I received the new adapter within 72 hours of my initial complaint, and I haven't received any shocks since.

[mkfoley]

Happens with Apple MacBook Pro too

I've experienced the exact same thing with the 2-prong power adaptor on my
MacBook Pro. I brought it into a store, couldn't replicate the problem (probably
due to different conditions/surface as the article states) and was told to use the
3-prong cord instead... though having the carry yet another cable is a pain in
the butt.

[b_in_austin]

Shock or Static Discharge?

So are people who complain about shocks witnessing a real shock (like
electric current from the power supply to the human body) or are they finding
that their laptops occassionally provide them with an outlet for their static
electricity build up from walking over carpeting in a heated environment?

I get the latter on occassion with my MacBook Pro. I also get it when I touch
the metal drawer of my desk (where the MacBook Pro sits). I also get it when I
touch the door knob.

Depending upon how much walking around and static I build up and hold in
my body, it can be a fairly minor tingle to a fairly huge zap.

I guess if I wasn't so "worldly" (read as old and experienced) I might think that
my laptop was shocking me.

[zingling]

Well, I'm probably more worldly than you, at least in age, and I'm convinced my laptop is shocking me. I just brought my new MacBook home, plugged it in to charge it up (on the 3-prong plug; can't vouch for the electricity in my house generally but in this room the wiring is recent and was done by someone I trust). When it was charged I unplugged it and picked it up to take it upstairs, and I noticed my hands were tingling. I don't have any rugs. It's summer and I have never had any problems with static here in the summer. I hadn't been walking around. This was NOT like any static I've ever felt before -- I get zaps off the cats all the time in the winter. This was a very unpleasant tingling and my right forearm and hand still feel a bit weird a couple hours later. With the full weight of my age and experience, I affirm that my laptop shocked me and it better stop or it's going back to the store.

[strictures]

Is this a world wide problem?

The terminology of the article is written in British English & refers to "mains" & "earth".
In America the terms are "line" & "ground".
That's why I'm wondering if this is happening everywhere.

[Henriv]

Not only Dell

I have a Toshiba Tecra that has the same problem. And a 3 prong power cord DOES NOT solve that problem in every case.

Since I burned out 2 motherboards on my Tecra, because of static electricity, I investigated the problem a bit further and found that the only solution is to use a separate connection between the frame and a good ground. Most modern laptops have connections for a docking station. It allows to make an easy connection.

The ground itself is more difficult. I use something that originates from the HF radio field. For the technical people: It is a little switching box, that allows me to find and connect the grounded wire of a 2 wire mains connection to the ground wire, I use.

That is nice, but the main solution has to be provided by the computer manufacturers. I analyzed some of the power gear, they provide and my only comment is, that all these pieces of are made for ideal power conditions, for use in climate controlled environments with optimal humidity.

Since I live in a desert area, where the quality of the power grid is questionable, laptops in particular have a hard time.

Henri

[zingling]

Hi, is the little grounding device you mention available to ordinary people like me? I want to discharge my computer case before the next time I pick it up (I'm afraid! first time I picked it up; it was UNPLUGGED after charging and it made my hands and forearms tingle).

[johnqpope]

Dell Weighs In

I work on the digital media team at Dell. Our chief blogger, Lionel Menchaca, just posted some clarifying information over at Direct2Dell. Here's the link:

http://direct2dell.com/one2one/archive/2008/01/18/41538.aspx

[bobbenedetti]

Np problem with XPS 1330 in Canada

My power supply has a three wire connection(required in Canada) so I presume that eliminates the problem. I have not experienced any shocking experiences nore have any of my co-workers using the same model notebook.

[sammyb33]

My dell laptop has no problems. I do have a 3 prong plug. Glitter Graphics Myspace Layout

[amit_aggarval]

hey, we have created a small video showing the tingling sensation effect (electric shock) in dell notebooks..

you can check the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtcrhG3YNLA

[Cirrus503]

I just got done calling Dell about my laptop (1520) which has been giving me shocks (ranging from light "buzzes" to full fledged zaps for the past few months. They hurt! The technician used the remote control to go over my computer, but I watched her work and she looked like she was lost. So after giving up, she wrote that she needed a few minutes to check something. Then wrote back and said that I needed a new motherboard and new adapter. I was even asked to pull out the adapter and check it. No shocks initially, then it shocked me big time. That one really hurt. My finger still feels like it has been shocked by a small jolt of lightning. This happens multiple times per day, too.

So the technician will be out soon to replace it, and it's covered by my warranty, but i'm now wondering whether or not it will do any good, especially after seeing that video above. All I know is, it hurts.
I've always been a huge fan of Dell's but now I am questioning whether or not I will ever purchase another laptop from them --at least until they get this problem fixed.