Laptop electrocuting me.

[too_much]

While I'm around, may as well give this a mention.

My Pavillion DV5000 has a habit of electrocuting me. If my bare legs are in contact with the speaker cover (metal) or the USB ports etc, I feel a constant sharp tingling electric sensation. It's often a bit painful and rather annoying.

Would I have any justification in getting this swapped by HP on legal grounds? It's out of warrantee so I assume not, but if I threaten legal action (I have a **** good lawyer - he's family) unless I get it changed, do I have any leg to stand on?

Cheers,
Matt.

[Sterling_Aug]

I doubt that you could get it replaced since you waited so long after the warranty expired.

[athlonfan]

On what grounds would you ever be able to bring legal action? It doesn't seem like it poses any actual risk of harm.

When did the problem start and when did you first notify HP?

[too_much]

It started a few weeks ago - I have no idea what risk, if any, it poses, I just think it's pretty dodgy that the wiring results in the end user being electrocuted with alarming regularity. Could lead to electrical shorts and/or fires.

Plus when you take into account the issues in the last couple of years with certain lappy batteries starting fires etc, it's a hot issue (puntastic).

ah well not a big issue, just thought I'd give it a mention.

Cheers
Matt

[Bovon]

Does this happen with or without the charger plugged in?

[athlonfan]

It started a few weeks ago - I have no idea what risk, if any, it poses, I just think it's pretty dodgy that the wiring results in the end user being electrocuted with alarming regularity. Could lead to electrical shorts and/or fires.

Plus when you take into account the issues in the last couple of years with certain lappy batteries starting fires etc, it's a hot issue (puntastic).

ah well not a big issue, just thought I'd give it a mention.

Cheers
Matt

A lawsuit would be no threat to them. You haven't suffered any damages, and the cost of repair is slight. It wouldn't be worth your time to even both threatening even with a lawyer in the family.

[Lgbpop]

Put your pants on.

[too_much]

Does this happen with or without the charger plugged in?

Only with - from what I've read it's not uncommon.

As for putting my pants on (presumably trousers) - I work 50hrs a week, and when I get home I like to sit in my boxers with tunes on and read/game etc, it's the way forward!

Like I say it's not an issue, was just thinking out loud really.

[Sterling_Aug]

It sounds like the AC adapter has a loose/broken wire.

[Train]

Get a new AC adapter, as it sounds like the ground wire has broken.

[Bovon]

It depends on if the input to the device (laptop in this instance) is AC or DC.

If the charger is a DC output device, and some AC component is being passed on, a new charger may correct the problem because no AC is being passed on through a DC only circuit.

If the chargers output is AC..and the rectifying circuits are a part of the laptop would indicate a leaking capacitor in the power supply rectifier circuits..

To determine what the output is, look on the housing of the charger and see something like the following:

OUTPUT: 18 VDC at 500MA (etc.) (18 Volts Direct Current)

Or

OUTPUT: 18 VAC at 500 MA (etc.) 18 Volts Alternating Current).

Instead of writing "AC" or "DC" some manufacturers are using a
double line, or sine wave in the output section...like maybe:

___
---- would indicate a DC output

~ would indicate an AC circuit

[Nathan G.]

I have seen/ felt this before....
This can be caused by improper AC wiring. As in a house wiring fault or using a "Cheater" adapter. (3 prong to 2 and you did not attach the safety Gnd)

I suggest 2 things:
1-check your outlet with one of these. (cost about 6 dollars at Home depot)

2- Ensure you are not using one of these!


In my case, I was feeling the tingle though an ESD strap. (odd)
After a little digging, I found someone had installed a cheater adapter on a piece of test equipment I was using. Once the adapter was removed, I quit getting a tingling through my ESD strap!

Then again in may be a defective Power Supply.
Regards

[Lgbpop]

I have seen/ felt this before....

2- Ensure you are not using one of these!

I'd be very surprised if he were using one of these.....

[millermil121]

Nathan G. 's suggestions sounds feasible, any better?

[Lgbpop]

What I meant was that since too_much is in the U.K. where 240V is used, he won't be using a 120V socket adapter.