For some reason my hp 500 is electrifying my computer. I first figured this out when I touched the back of my computer and I got a pretty decent shock. Not one that made me forget where I was for very long, but a pretty good shock.
So I touched it again. SHOCKED AGAIN!
I know touching it twice wasn't too smart but I get the same sensation some times when I move body parts the wrong way. I guess pinched nerve? or something. So I had to make sure it wasn't just me.
To figure out what was causing it I shut down the computer, unplugged the power and then I knew what I had to do next.
I touched it again! SHOCKED AGAIN!
I went about this process of unplugging something then shocking the bejesus out of myself. After a couple rounds of this and GETTING SHOCKED I just unplugged everything. The heck with it. Then I touched my computer and didn't get shocked. So I knew it had to be one of my other devices.
It's not a terrible shock, it's more like when you grab something that has raw electric going through it and you don't think you will be able to let go but somehow you do. It's that kind of shock. it just grabs for a split second. Evidentally it won't kill you, or I wouldn't be typing this.
Anyway I narrowed it down to my plotter. And sure enough, (I shocked myself once more) the electric was coming out of the USB cable.
I ended up shocking myself one final time when I accidently touched the end of the USB cable to my bare leg. That just reasurred me it wasn't me since it was a different body part.
I guess my question is this. Why in the world is it doing that? Everything works just fine JUST DON'T TOUCH THE BACK OF THE COMPUTER! It's been like that for over a week or more now (since I discovered it by touching the back of the computer). I think the problem was my wireless print server, so I unplugged it. I figured if it was the USB cable itself I shouldn't be able to print anything.
Is there a way for me to see if I fixed the problem without shocking the crap out of myself again? I just haven't had the courage to see if I fixed it or not for sure. I'm shocked out. I started twitching just thinking about it.
I turned off the lights and touched a plastic handle screw driver to the back of the computer, no sparks or anything. does that mean it's fixed? I really don't want to touch it again. really really don't.
John Giles!!!
John Francis is posting on your computer! 😉
Get yourself a neon circuit tester. Touch one probe to the device to be tested (the back of your computer, for example). Touch the other probe with your finger. You won't get shocked but the neon light will glow if there's voltage present. It has to be at least 90 volts, if memory serves, so it won't work on low voltage or DC, but it sounds like you are getting 120 volts somewhere.
You can use this trick to test an outlet to see if it's hot. Stick one probe into the hot side of the outlet. Touch the other probe with your finger. No shock, but the neon lamp will glow if there's voltage present.
Sounds like 60 cycle AC. A floating ground creating potential. Check the ground connections in your receptacles. Don't surf the net wet...
Your print server has a two prong power plug, maybe? Some printers are known for "leakage". Maybe this server is, too? I'd get it checked out or replaced.
Paden that makes sense. I should be able to plug my plotter in a different outlet and maybe that will fix it.
I shouldn't be getting much of a shock from the print server, I wouldn't think at least it has an AC adapter. I'm going to have to figure out some way to test it. I have the mini christmas light bulbs. Can I make something out of those as a tester?
Rich I have one of those laying around somewhere. Now where did I put it......
Just hate 'testing' it with myself to see if it fixed it or not.:computer: :rain: |-)
I almost had one of the kids living me with talked in to testing it for me. But I just had to go and be truthful about how big a shock it was. dangit anyway. 🙂
My son already knew if dad won't do it again, don't do it. 😉
Heck I just had a brilliant idea :-S (thats my thinkin face) I can make a tester like Rich showed with a Christmas light flasher. That way if I get stuck on the circuit I just have to wait for the bulb to heat up enough to flash off, freeing myself from the electric circuit. BRILLIANT! :hi5:
Use your tongue instead of your finger - gives you a better feel for the source of the problem. It will go straight to your head. Like you saw god - just ask Ted!
Those Christmas lights are just little incandescent bulbs. Not the same as a neon bulb.
Using the technique described above, the neon tester will glow in the presence of voltage but will draw virtually no current, so no shock.
An LED plug-in circuit tester will tell you if your outlet is wired wrong. If the outlet is okay, it’s probably faulty wiring in one of your devices that plugs directly into 120 volts, (not one that has an adapter). Plug each device into an outlet that you have tested and know is correctly wired. Use the neon tester as described above and you should be able to isolate the culprit.
Figuring out WHY the chassis is hot might be another matter.
Get yourself one of these at any home improvement store or probably even walmart.
http://www.amazon.com/Electrical-Outlet-Circuit-Safety-Tester/dp/B0002O1E7W
I have found plugs at RV parks that were wired backwards.
It will not help if the problem is actually the plotter but everyone needs one of these testers anyway.
James
