Dell XPS 1530 Shocking Users

If you own a Dell XPS 1530, have you experienced what's been described by others as a "tingling" sensation when touching the palm rest area? This is believed to be the result of a small electrical charge present in the case of the XPS 1530 which gives the user a shock.

Some claim to have complained to Dell about the problem, and Dell sent them a special three pronged AC adapter that took care of the problem.

If you have more information on this, I'd be glad to hear it.


Here's some discussion on this topic that I've found on another forum.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055213083


Here's a little article on the topic from CNET/Crave.

http://crave.cnet.co.uk/laptops/0,39029450,49295100,00.htm

 

It's not a special 3 pronged, just a normal one. Also, if you have any peripherals like an external monitor that uses a 3pronged plug that should get rid of the tingling too.

And of course if you are on battery power there's not tingling.

Dell says it's totally safe but it sure doesn't feel safe to me!

Oh yeah, and I called Dell once. The tech person said he could send me a 3 prong but then he said they are out of stock. That was a month ago so I hope they have some in stock now.

There is also some info in the Dell idea storm where Dell was gouging if people are willing to purchase a 3 prong. I think that's crazy. I would suggest people to try to get it for free.

 

That doesn't sound good at all. This shocking problem is the main thing keeping me from considering the purchase of this notebook.

 

Weird, when I checked the poll, it shows 3 people voted yes, but the results only shows 2!

 

lol thats why you ground major appliances like computers, refrigerators, etc. Dell why do you think virtually all computer equipment requires a 3 prong grounded plug? lol

-J.B.

 

I use my M1530 with the provided 90W 3pin adaptor and a 65W 2pin adapter from my M1210, neither cause me to get the "tingling"

 

Thanks tumnasgt, that's good to hear. It seems to be hit or miss, some people experience it and some don't.

 

I have a two prong power adaptor and I experience no tingling sensation.

 

I have an xps 1530 and I havent noticed any tingling sensation. This is only a small problem for a few people, but it seems like a bigger problem since people only say when they do have it, not when they dont

 

I think this is a minor issue since it's easily fixed with a 3 prong plug. I wouldn't let it stop your purchase.

To me I could barely feel it. It felt like a slight vibration when sliding your finger over the aluminum palm rests. It's hard to notice and at first I didn't notice it at all because it just felt like when you slide your finger over something "squeaky clean"... hard to describe. The only way I noticed it was I tried sliding my finger on the palm rests when the machine was off and noticed it felt different.

 

Well, if I do order one, I'll tell them to send me a three pronged adapter or no deal.

 

Anyone else?

 

Mine came with a 3 prong adaptor. No problems here.

 

On saturday I requested the 3 pronged adapter and I received it today. Can't say that I have been shocked but I don't really like the feel of the palrest area on this laptop to begin with - but it's better to be safe than sorry. I'm looking to get laptop skins for the whole silver part o the laptop...I want to make it all black color, that would look cool

 

Scoober~
I voted "yes" because you know I had this problem when I first received my XPS 1530 & now I don't have this issue anymore.

I'm not sure if this was a fluke or not?? It lasted for almost a week, then simply "went away". I was going to call Dell about this, but since the "shock" went away, there was no reason to.

I am very happy w/my 1530

 

Hey Cin, I've read that weather conditions and skin moisture levels can effect if you get the "tingle"/shock or not. Maybe that has some bearing on how your's did and then stopped.

If I were you I'd have Dell send me a three pronged AC adapter just to play it safe.

 

I've felt stuff like that with my laptop....

 

I had the problem of electrical leakage on my palm rest when using my M1530 with my 3 pronged 2-core wired UK adapter. But now I have a 3 pronged 3-core wired UK adapter the problem has gone away.

 

Yes, I have also experienced electrical charge sensation when touching the palm rest area. And feel electrical charge present in the hands. But this is feeling is little uncomfartable.
I am already using with 3 pin Plug for AC Adapter.
What else can i do to reduce this shocks ?
Regards
Anoop

 

Wow, you've got the three pronged AC adapter and you're still getting shocked!?! I haven't heard of that before.

You should contact Dell about this right away.

 

You may have a 3 pin plug but if its only a 2 core wire then you would still experience the sensation. As the previous poster, you'll need a new AC Adapter that uses a 3 core wired plug.

 

I experience a tingling sensation when I touch a doorknob sometimes, so I can blame that on Dell too?

 

Only if your holding your XPS 1530 with your other hand.

 

So if I mention this tingling sensation to DELL customer support they'll send me a free ac adapter? Or do they charge me until I ship mine back etc?

 

From what others have said it looks like all you have to do is call Dell and tell them you're being shocked, and you need the three pronged adapter, and they'll send it to you at no cost, so if you need one, just give them a call.

 

If its just a "tingle" i wouldnt really worry about it, I mean i got a REAL shock from my m1710, not just a little tingle, I mean i threw the thing off my lap, and i was using a 3 prong adapter! Dells Barrel plugs have the tendancy to slip half-way out and apparently from what i have been told, that can disconnect its grounding and shock the (@#* out of me. Dell was much more than accomidating, replacing my system entirely a few times then giving me a very nice upgrade because i couldn't get a functioning m1710.

I dont think there is that much power going to the m1530 i think its AC adapter is 90w, so i wuldnt be too worried, 90w's straight to your thumb isnt that bad even, definitely not lethal by any means, the m1710 had a 130w adapter, which was a nice jolt, but still not really considered dangerous, Just absolutely ridiculous! You would have thought they would have switched to ALL 3 prong adapters by now!

 

lmao!

I guess a little arsenic in the soup is nothing to worry about either, as long as it's just a little?

Being shocked at any level from a notebook is unacceptable, and should be remedied at the manufactures expense, period.

 

Is the two prong a polorized plug? Is there a possibility of miswired outlet in some homes?

 

Yea I have it too but its not that big of a deal. If you take one finger like your index finger and rub the tip of it up and down the palmrest it feels like its vibrating under your finger. If you turn the comp off and wait a few sec the sensation is gone.

Goning to call and ask for a three prong as the tingeling is annoying.

I doubt there is any health consequences...

 

Believe or not I actually like the sensation! It fills the void when you're waiting for your laptop to finish something. I like to lightly rub my fingers against the palm rest and if I do it hard I don't get that tingling sensation. But that's just me.

 

Wait, if this is solved by a simple 3 pronged plug, doesn't that just mean the issue is the unit not being grounded in the first place.

Either way, i shouldn't have much of an issue if i bought one since i'm in the UK and we have 3 pronged power sockets anyway.

 

That's a bit of a misconception I'm afraid.

Even though we've a 3 prong mains plug the UK adapters were only two wire and as such not grounded either, the give away is the number of pins on the adapter itself. You can, however request a new 3 wire adapter from Dell.

UK Part #s are:

C2894 - AC Adapter.
6U364 - UK Power cord.

 

wait so all of you are saying this tingly sensation is actually electricity lmao. Can plugging the AC adapter into a surge protector (which has 3 prongs) fix the problem as well? Just wondering cuz well yea....

 

It didn't fix it for me (the plug into an AC adapter with three prongs) ...

 

Mine came with a 3-pronged adaptor, and last night I touched the palm rest area while on my bare foot (no carpet at home), and got a nasty-non-lethal-yet-VERY-annoying shock... one of those that won't kill you, but can make you drop something you are holding in your hands...

How do I know if I have the correct wiring?

 

I have the tingling "problem" (i use "" becuase it does not pose much of a problem for me).

It doesnt happen often, but i first noticed it about a week ago, i was running a 3dmark06 test, and my inside forearm touched the front left hand corner of my M1530, and i expereinced what i believe to be this electric shock, it felt like something sharp pressing into my skin.

Now i have tried to replicate these shocks but i have noticed that they only occur for me when running intensive tasks, such as mentioned 3dmark benchmarking, and gaming. Also they dont seem to work on my outer forearm, just the inner softer part (might be something to do with arm hairs/static eletricity i dont know lol).

What confused me, was that having a 3 pronged ac adapter should solve this problem.

However i already have a 3 pronged adapter (UK) that came with my laptop???

Is there another adapter i can get that is different from the one i have just now? Or have i missed something here

EDIT: So i need to order a special 3 wired adapter from Dell?

 

agusman

Please do not revive dead threads (6 months or older)

Rather create a new one if need be

Thank you

[Edit] hooligan001 sorry thought it was you at first not agusman.