M17x shocks....literrally

I'm on a vacation for the summer and I brought my M17x with me.
I'm not sure if this place uses different voltage or whatever those stuffs i don't understand.
But I notice the laptop's shocking me whenever I touch the metal parts.
When I rub the back of the LCD panel, I can really feel it.
I tried unplugging the power cable and it's still the same when i'm on battery too.
Is it dangerous to continue using this?
I'll be here for 3 more months so i can't stay that long without gaming.
Oh, and yeah, games seem to run a wee bit slower too.
It's not too much, but noticeable.

 

Well, if you're out of the country, then yes it's probably because the voltage is different. You shouldn't really be using your adapter unless it is the proper one designed for that country. Just a guess since you never said what country you were in or if you're just vacationing a different part of the US.

 

The country your in shouldn't really matter as long as you supply it with 110-240 volts its good. However that is static flowing through the sytem to the ground, if your not touching the ground then im not quite sure what it may be.

 

lol this laptop so powerful it shocking u man maybe there like a loose ground wire or something inside idk lol maybe its making contact with the alumin chasis not sure man hell just use some anti static rubber shoes if that dont work than maybe ur gifted lol turning into Raiden

 

This could also be due to simple statics (low humidity, fluffy carpets, etc) Whenever we have low humidity here in Canada, I get plenty of those shocks from my system.

 

Very true man usually vacation homes have high static carpet idk cause its new or what lol have u been walking around bare foot? try discharging yourself like a ground wrrist? or use a volt meter check the output from your source

 

What does not make any sense was it was doing this when running on Battery only ?

There was no real ground path then, unless some other device connected to the laptop is providing a path to ground.

either way, static discharges are not good for computers so trying to isloate the cause is a good ideal.

 

Another idea it could be the Outlet ground is not working.

 

If the shocking is also occurring when running on battery & not plugged in, it can't be a faulty outlet ground. It's something in the system itself that is not grounded properly. His change of location might have been just the trigger it needed to start happening.


Since it happens on battery power (while it is unplugged) too, I would highly recommend doing a backup of all of your data & then calling tech support. They might try to have it sent to depot, but it should be considered a safety hazard, which requires them to do a replacement & safety capture of the unit.

Good luck.

 

+1
/10char

 

I have an Inspiron 1720 that shocks me as well. Quite annoying and I've learned to live with it. It's because my power supply is not grounded. But when it's on battery it doesn't shock me. Maybe get a new power supply or contact tech support.

 

+1 10 char

 

Ya but it could still be started from the a faulty outlet.

Let take my current laptop It was shipped 1 day shipping and there was a Dent on the box. Which ruin one of my raid drives. One drive replaced. The second hard drive fails in 3months Which could been done by a damage from the box or a Faulty raid. So in the last 4 Months I had two hard drives replaced. All Link to a Damage Box.

So I am looking at this. Faulty outlet Damage the Motherboard Which affects the whole system in any outlet or in battery. Or it could just be a bad motherboard. I am just pointing this out just in case he get a new system and plug it in the same socket and have it go Poof.

 

For those who are saying a faulty outlet...Read his post It does it on battery as well.

So it is not a grounding problem with the outlet, it is an internal issue with the laptop


I agree with others here Time to back up your files and call dell

 

Well here in the Dominican Republic not a single house has a proper ground field for their electrical grid. I have a few different machines, and they all shock the crap outta me. now you can run on battery and not have this problem, but nothing plugged into the computer can have an external power source that is plugged into the wall. All external devices have their own grounding path (which will also be shoddy, because the house has shoddy grounding) but when they are plugged into the computer, the USB ground carries that transient voltage with it.

Nothing to worry about, we have had to do it here at my office for our server room. All that is needed is to ground the electrical grid of the house, or live with it.

 

Remove post.

 

I assume that the M17x comes with an Alienware slip-on cover, and if so, Do you use it? I only ask because I was having similar problems with static electricity (it's probably not, but I just thought I'd ask).

 

Hay Thatoe before going on this vacation

Did your laptop ever shock you before the Vacation?

Did your laptop ever shock you on Battery power before the vacation?

 

Ok, sorry for the late reply. I don't have regular internet or electricity here. (what vacation, eh?)
I'm in Asia right now. I'll rep those who tried to help as soon as I'm back. Thanks.
Now i found that it shocks only when my feet are on the floor.
If i put something under my feet or something, it doesn't anymore.
Maybe I'm the one shocking the laptop?

 

Ok eletroman. LOL. That might be the safest way to have shoes on or something under your feet.

It sounds like the old Hunting cabin problems up where I live.

 

It shocks you because the grounding of your laptop doesn't work properly and when you are barefoot you become the ground and the charge is being discharged through you to the ground (you close the circuit, if you are on shoes the circuit is open). Don't worry about yourself, it won't hurt you but it could damage your laptop.

 

Hi Thatoe..
I am too having the same electrical shock issue w/ M17x R2 in Indonesia (Just purchased recently). This only happens to my M17x R2 (my old Dell laptop w/ low spec never come across to this issue). Beside this I heard some high pitch continuous eeee.. noise come from my M17x R2 laptop when I connect the power cord to M17x R2 laptop. When I disconnect it the shock & high pitch noise stops. I just noticed this issue yesterday.
Can I know the manufacturer of adapter you are using? Mine from Flextronics (made in China ). P/N J938H, Model GA240PE1-00, Rev: A01.
Just noticed the +/- metal connector of my adapter which goes into the DC input is not too good, a bit bend. I am not too sure if this is related to the defective adapter issue? Perhaps someone can help us to confirm pls.

Thanks in advance.

___________________________________________
M17x R2 Nebula Red
Intel Core i7 720QM 1.6GHz 2.8 GHz Turbo
6GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1333MHz
17-inch WideUXGA 1920 x 1200 R G B LED
Dual 1GB ATI Radeon Mobility HD 5870 CrossfireX
640GB Raid 0 (2x 320GB)

 

I'd check your ground wire. I had the same thing with the Inspiron 1720. Pluged in it would give you a slight stinging subtle continuous shock. This was because the paint had worn and the AC adaptor didn't have a ground on it so it was grounded through my arms or legs. Test this by unplugging the system and the shocking sensation will be gone.

 

Not aware of a 'defective adapter issue' with the M17x - R1 or R2. In any event, there is something wrong with your power supply. I suggest you contact Support ASAP and have them replace it.

 

He is probably referring to this issue with Flextronics vs. Delta power supplies for the M17x.

 

Yep you are right, DR650SE. It's indeed a grounding issue. All the time I plugin my lappy to an extension cord with 2-prong socket (without grounding). That's when I feel a slight shock. Even when I'm wearing rubber sandal (dry) to touch my M17x I can still feel slight shock in my arms. Not if I'm on my bed (got rubber feet). Prob bed is the safest place for me to run my M17x now. But when I directly plugin my M17x to 3-prong ac power outlet the shock is instantly gone. My old lappy's paint is still good. That's prob why I've never felt it before.

Thanks & appreciate for the tip!

 

Thanks for the suggestion, BatBoy. As per mentioned it's more related to grounding issue. I'm having other issue (unrecognized & charging issue) with this Flextronics PS. Will post it in different thread.

 

Yes, Tazalanche. I was referring to that thread which originally posted by StevieJones. I'm having similar issue with him on my Flextronics PS (unrecognized PS & charging issue) that I suspected this shocking issue also related to defective Flextronics PS.

_________________________________________
M17x R2 Nebula Red
Intel Core i7 720QM 1.6GHz 2.8 GHz Turbo
6GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1333MHz
17-inch WideUXGA 1920 x 1200 RGB LED
Dual 1GB ATI Radeon Mobility HD 5870 CrossfireX
640GB Raid 0 (2x 320GB)

 

this has happened to me too. and im still in the US where i orginally purchased my m17x. it shocks me. not a lot but it is enough to be uncomfortable. Should i get my computer replaced? can this be fixed?

 

Hi There,

used to live out in egypt! its the electricity supply.
maybe its not earthed. uk plugs have 3 pins for this reason.

however all the equipment that i took out there if you brushed against it would have a slight vibrating electric feel to them.

that was purely the wiring in egypt and the equipment wasnt faulty at all

hope that helps

 

I was reading and touch the lap and i got a shock too !!; its being bothering me since two days ago, but i cant say if this is about my power supply at home or is the laptop . . . (Colombia)