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

I hate sony support. I will NEVER buy another Sony computer product again. I will EASILY drop an extra $500-$1000 for a competing product that has even marginal tech/customer support.

After 90 minutes bouncing on and off hold, they said they'd send me a replacement AC adapter for my SZ2xx. They insist I send them a receipt, though. I explain the notebook was a gift. They say I should get the receipt from the person who bought the notebook. I tell them that they don't have the receipt anymore either. They say I should contact the store it was purchased from for a copy. I tell them I don't know the store. They say I should ask the person who gave it to me as a gift. I tell them that the gift giver is deceased. They tell me they can't help me then. They aren't disputing that the notebook is still under warrenty - they have the serial number they can verify by. They even know that it was purchased "in the summer of 2006."

I ask for a supervisor. They tell me "no." WTF?! This is a SAFETY issue. My notebook is causing electrical shocks when I use it!

 

My SZ450 does have the tingling as well. The wierd thing is that it really depends on what outlet it's plugged into. When I'm at home (Kensington 2-prong 120W adapter) or at the office (Sony stock 2-prong adapter), it doesn't tingle. Last weekend, however, I took my SZ and Kensington adapter to a LAN party (nerds) and the palmrest tingled all night.

I called Sony Canada when I first bought it and complained about the tingling (even though I hadn't felt any shock yet, I'd really rather have a 3-prong adapter...). They told me that they weren't aware of this problem for this model of computer. After that conversation (and a month of not having any tingling) I assumed that they must have fixed the problem for the SZ4 series... I guess I was wrong.

I think I'll call Sony again, only this time with a lot more conviction in my voice.

 

I would suggest calling repeatedly until you're able to speak to someone who's more accommodating and knowledgeable about the issue. Even though I had already purchased a third party adapter to fix the electric shock, I called the support line anyway, as suggested in this thread, and complained about experiencing irritating electric shock sensations ever since owning the notebook and asked the CSR if he could provide any help. I did not suggest replacing the adapter or give him any sort of impression about knowing the solution to the problem; instead I only emphasized how long it had caused me so much pain and discomfort. Luckily he was aware of the problem and immediately placed an order for the three pronged adapter after I had given him the model number, serial number, service tag, name and mailing address, and said I would expect it within a week (I received it three days later). He didn't ask about proof of purchase or the purchase date, so that information probably isn't required. Call again and see how it turns out.

 

I called twice. First time I got some joker that had me do bogus battery tests. 2nd call got a nice tech who took my laptop's serial number and sent the adapter. The good call happened in the AM, US central time. 1st call happened in the evening US central time.

 

Taking the advice here, I called back the next morning. In the A.M. I got someone who was working in the USA. I explained what happened the previous night. They asked me to hold to talk to their supervisor about the "tech" I talked to the previous night. I spent 5 minutes on hold... talked to that supervisor (who was extremely apologetic and assured me that an "official" complaint will be filed - whatever that means.)

The next morning, my new AC adapter was delivered Fed-Ex morning priority overnight by 10:30am.

 

I think in the US calling in the AM is the hot ticket.

 

I would just like to confirm that having the 3-prong AC adapter VGP-AC19V12 does get rid of the tingling palmrest problem for my sz360p. I called sony customer support in San Diego (not the generic number on their website) and they mentioned to me that they were aware of the problem and immediately sent a new adapter without further questions and without need for a return of my other adapter.

 

My understanding of the ground line is that it serves as an emergency return for current that accidentally gets out onto the chassis, say, by a live wire coming loose and contacting the chassis. I've not heard of it as being necessary to the normal operation of a device WRT eliminating the "tingle" I've read about in this thread. (A working ground is OTOH necessary to the normal operation of a surge suppressor, but that's very different.) Can someone explain to me why this isn't considered a defect in the computer?

 

i live in cali. can you post that special number or pm me? thanks

 

This "electric shock" problem happens with many, if not all "Switched mode power supplies". Do a Google search for this term & you will see many articles talking about it ... You can start here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Switched_mode_power_supply

Or here's an explanation for those zapping:

http://www.siliconchip.com.au/cms/A_107106/article.html (paid subscription)

It's quite a common issue with the design of the power supply & that's probably why Sony hasn't publicly deemed it as a "manufacturer's defect".

Good luck ...

 

could u send me that cali number as well...the sony sz680 has the issue also...or at least its power supply does