I solved the electric shock problem...!!!

By simply calling Sony Service, explaining the situation, suggesting/asking for grounded adaptor. Sony openly accepted the problem and confirmed the grounded adaptor is the solution.

Anyway just today I received it. It is VGP-AC19V12 three-prong adaptor. And yes the electrical leakage is gone for good. It was all-over the computer, even on the screen. Finally the testlight is off.

Ahora estoy feliz!!!

 

What is you laptop model?

 

It is SZ-360P/C.

 

I just ordered a Targus adapter for $30 hoping it will solve the problem. I haven't received it yet. If it doesn't work, getting one from Sony would be nice.

 

Unless the Targus is the 120W version, you'll hurt your SZ.

I've never had a tingling issue with my SZ. No 3 prong needed here.

 

Sounds great I will have to try this cuz I have the problems on my sz360.

BTW how much battery life are you getting out of the 360? Stamina/Speed?

 

Can you recap the conversion you had with Sony? Did they charge you for the new adapter?

 

I bought the 90W version, why would it hurt the SZ? And I also feel the buzz on the palmrest. I should give sony a ring.

 

So just call and tell Sony Support we have a problem and they will send you a brand new AC Adapter?

Sounds too simple to be true...

 

Because the SZ needs it. Look at your Sony power adapter. Do a search here. There have been multple threads on it. Undervolting is not a good thng.

 

i got my sz330 for xmas and mine dosent have that problem. nor the spacebar one.

 

I just got out of a useless Sony chat session. I described my problem and specifically asked for a "replacement" (not free, swap) VGP-AC19V12. She ignored my request and referred me to http://eservice.sony.com/webrma/web/index.do so I can send it in for "service". I might go ahead save myself from any futher aggravation with sony support and buy one direct.

 

Well, I, too, first tried Sony chat, but since it was useless I didn't mention it in my first post.

Then I called US Sony Service. During the conversion I basically said that I couldn't use the computer I just bought because of the that leakage. I said that I heard the 3-prong adapter was the solution.

They were already aware of the problem. I assume I wasn't the first one to call. And They sent the new one without charge.

I thought in the beginning that it wouldn't work. Yet, I decided to give it a try, nothing to lose. In the end it worked.

 

Thanks for posting your finding, megamoz! I'm sure there are a lot of SZ owners who will benefit from your sharing.

 

Always the best stance to take with customer service reps. Glad your problem is solved!

 

nice...i'm gonna have to give them a call.

 

I called tech support almost two months ago and explained to them the problem and asked whether they could replace my power supply with a 3-prong one. Sony said they would not replace the power supply and suggested that I rather return the laptop, which I did. Too bad, they lost my business.

It is interesting that Sony is finally acknowledging this problem and is willing to replace the power supplies. This is a big ... to all those who said the electric shock problem did not exist, and a bigger ... to all those who bought the SZ and never had their power supplies replaced.

 

I just gave them a call and told them the palm bothered me and explained the issue. Sony tech listened to my problem and then I informed him about the 3-prong brick and told him the part number. After he looked it up and put me on hold he told me that he would order me the VGP-AC19V12 brick. It should be on delivery 3-5 days.

Sony was of great help and the Tech support was very friendly and willing to help.

 

I think we have another success story here.

 

BTW thanks for your post. Will update when I receive the Brick.

 

is it Free for the replacement?

 

Naturally it should be free, 'cause it's not your fault.

 

Yes they didn't charge me anything nor did they ask for me to send in the other brick.

However its not free until I get it.

 

i just called via skype

explain to sony techie and they said they will send me one for freeee.. >.<

all i said was

"i have sz360, i feel shock and current running through my body"

30 min phone call can fix the electric shock problem. that was pretty easy, thanks megamoz.

 

I'm glad you made it.

 

None of you should have to deal with a malignant electric current.
This is a manufacturer's defect, and all of you should be entitled to an exchange or full refund.

 

It's not a free additional adapter, it's a free replacement. I received a return label with mine. They expect the other adapter to be shipped back.

 

I haven't received any label, nor have I been told during the phone conversation with Sony that I should return the old one.

 

Don't count your chickens before they've hatched. It still remains to be seen whether the replacement power supply will actually solve the grounding problem.

 

This might be the right approach to the issue. Actually I haven't reported until I received the adaptor, tested it and positively confirmed that it solved the grounding problem, though it has been two weeks since the phone conversation with Sony.

But I believe at the same time that unless the computer has any other relevant hardware failure, 3-prong adaptor would stop the leakage.

 

The 90W will not *undervold* the SZ, just that it's not able to supply enough current. so it will take longer to charge and will get quite warm: nothing too significant

 

Undervolting is not harmful provided that you test the notebook out to make sure you are still giving the processor enough power. The worst that will happen is that the undervolt will go far enough that the PC freezes and you'll have to reboot.

Most/all undervolting applications don't actually save the settings until you have tested them to work and say it is okay. That way if you freeze up you can just reboot and be fine.

Apps like Notebook Hardware Control and SuperPI immensely help with making this procedure safer.

 

I don't have the problem but this is what happened.
After all the negative talk about Sony Customer Service, I was reluctant but they were nice and extremely helpful.

I called about my upgrade to Vista and they gave me the info and when the CS asked if they could do anything else I had mentioned to them about all the shock issue surrounding the plug w/out ground. She said she would send me a new one. I told them I don't have a shock issue ans she still said if I wanted to replace my plug she would send one out for free, it will be here in a few days.

kudos to megamoz for the info and Kudos to Sony CS for great service.

 

I just received my replacement today.

As of now I am typing on my SZ with no shock or voltage going through my hand. I did a test just to make sure with the old brick. Sitting down in the same seat grounding my feet to the floor the old brick has static. The new one has none. So the results for me is great and now I don't have to deal with the shock problem.

The new brick is exact same size except the outlet is a 3-prong.
Also the chord is thicker on both ends.

Sony did not request me to send in the old brick nor did they send me a return slip to mail it back.
Looks like I get to keep the other one as a paper weight or backup.

Thanks a bunch to megamoz who posted this.

I'm real happy with Sony's customer service and dealing with all of my issues.


We should have a new post on how to decorate your old brick and what to with it.

 

Congrats! Now you could fully enjoy your lappy.

 

I just got my power supply this morning

It did solve the electric shock problem!

Sony also had this paper that said

"Enclosed is the replacement part for your VAIO Computer"
"Please return the defective part to Sony of Canada"
"Enclosed is a prepaid waybill for your convenience"

Do I have to return my old power supply?

 

I guess they want yours back.

I did not have this slip in mine. Did you megamoz?

btw I'm in USA

 

Did you megamoz?[/QUOTE]

No.

 

errrrrrrrrr

stupid sony canada..

thats not fair..

 

Well as long as they don't stick you with the shipping cost, I think it's OK.

I wouldn't want an AC adapter that was a pain to use.

 

Double check with the Sony VAIO website, they correct the mistake by supplied the right adaptor.

Supplied Accessories

AC adapter ( VGP-AC19V12)

Lithium-ion battery (VGP-BPS2C)

Memory Card Adapter(VGP-MCA20)

 

Well, I finally got around to calling Sony the other night and was able to get get them to send me a new grounded AC Adapter for my SZ120P. They even overnighted it once I sent them a copy of my receipt! So I now have the new one and it works.

However, do I need to send the old one back? They sent a UPS shipping label but the instructions say not to send the part back if it isn't a core part with a core value listed on the packing slip. Well, it lists no price under the Price ETA column. So do I really get to keep the old one as a backup? I don't want them to charge me $200 if I don't return it....

 

I don't know if this has been documented, but...

I have the SZ280, and when I got it I did not have the tingle problem, nor have I ever noticed it when plugged in here. However, when I was traveling in Jerusalem for a month, I noticed the tingle very much whenever plugged in. Perhaps that has something to do with the different groundings, but I just found it interesting...

 

The SZ450 still has the tingling. I am going to call Sony to get a new AC adaptor. Do you know if you have the send back the original one? I assume they do not ask you for a credit card so how can they charge you if you do not return the original one?

 

What? The SZ450 also exhibits tingling out of the box?!?! Looking at it, I think Sony must have felt that the SZ is a sales winner & just "hack care" with solving this tingling issue since it will just sell no matter what....

However, the SZ is a great notebook....

 

Just call them
Tell them you feel the buzz / tingling
They will send it to you for free.

Super ez

 

Thanks do you know what number to call in the US?

 

Even though they sent me a return shipping label, I thoroughly read through the documentation that came with it and according to that, they don't seem to want it back. So I'm keeping it. If they fuss, I'll explain that that's what they wanted! It's good because there's a second location I can keep the old adapter.

 

Hi all..
I Just got my sz360 three days back. Box says sz360P/C but at left bottom under screen, model # is sz360P. That's also what comes up under Vaio Support Central. Anyone know whether there's a difference? Does your model # engraved on laptop end with P or P/C or PC? ?I'm a lil concerned regarding this, can someone please clarify this.
Yes i can feel the tingling near the palm rest, i contacted sony support regarding this and they hav asked me to send my order receipt n told me to send the old AC adapter back as they would be replacing it with a new one. any suggestions on this?

 

Wow just read this interesting thread.

I don't think I've got this shock problem, though it sounds rather dodgy. I've got this 3-pong plug adaptor, maybe that's why. So does it only affect it when its' plugged in to the AC and no shock when using the battery?