VGN SZ 440 electric feeling

Hı everbody

I bought a new Sony VGN SZ 440 (but not 480). It was my dream computer but I had many hardware problems with it like keyboard, battery, mother board, speaker etc. They changed the motherboard and few other things.

I got it back but when my hand touches the metallic part of it I feel an electric sensation. It is not much but I am feeling it. When I disconnect it from AC current and works with battery, it is gone. Custamer service could not give an exact answer and wanted me to send the computer back for physical examination.

I checked some other computer in the same model in the Bestbuy, I had the same thing. People told me it might be due to fan.

Does anybody have any idea about what it can be?

very best
ali

 

see this thread http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=95220&highlight=electric+shock

 

try to wash your hand with pure water, dry it, and try again.

 

from what i have heard, the magnesium alloy palmrest isn't properly grounded and thus sends out an electric shock.

 

Many notebooks and other electronic equipment actually have this problem if they are not properly grounded and there is some leakage in the power supply. However, people rarely notice it because what they are normally touching is plastic or coated with paint which provides sufficient insulation. If you get one of those screwdrivers with a neon light for testing the mains and then touch any metal parts of the equipment you may see there is some voltage. However, it is not usually dangerous - there is a high resistance path which will not pass much current.

However, while you have the screwdriver, test the mains power outlet. In addition to any earth terminal (on a 3 pin socket), only one of the other terminals should show a voltage. If both show a voltage then the mains supply isn't grounded properly.

You will also find that any sensation due to the voltage is reduced if you wear plastic or rubber shoes.

John

 

thnaks everydody responding my question. They really helped. I am sending the computer bck to Sony for physical examination. After paying so much money it is really disappointing to have these problems.

 

I've been mostly using my SZ460N while my feet are on the carpet, so I haven't noticed this problem. Does the problem exist with the premium versions too or only the non premium ones?

 

I think I have a non primium version but I am not sure. But I am sure that it has the magnesium alloy palmrest, which, I think, the cause of problem

 

The magnesium alloy casing is the non premium version.

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=45008&highlight=tingling

 

Speed you describe the situation very well. I think SONY SHOULD REPLACE ALL OF THOSE COMPUTERS.

 

I turned in my week old SZ460N yesterday for an exchange because the wireless adapter had a problem... and guess what, the new piece gives me the tingling feeling that people have described even on the premium model.
I guess Sony just put the carbon fiber casing on the lid, and the palm rest is still the brushed metal magnesium alloy.

The complaints about the tingling electric feeling date back to more than a year ago. Very surprising that Sony hasn't fixed it yet. Anyway, I don't think I will go in for another exchange as the new unit might have this problem too. As noted in another post, I will call up Sony and request for a 3 pronged adapter that is reported to earth the laptop and eliminate the problem. Anyway this is bad to happen to a premium laptop costing 2300+ bucks, inspite of the problem being known for more than a year.

 

Yes call Sony and tell them you have this problem. They should send you the grounded 3 prong adapter and it will go away. I just did this with mine. It arrived within 48 hours and there was very little hassle.