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New Dell Laptops Give Users a Literal Shock
An anonymous reader writes "According to CNET.co.uk, certain new Dell laptops with a brushed-aluminum finish are giving users more than they bargained for. 'We know this because several CNET staff were hit with an electrical charge while using Dell's new XPS M1530 — and we're not the only ones. Dell's forums are littered with user complaints about the shocking experiences they've had with some systems. The problem only seems to occur in Dell laptops that have a brushed-aluminum finish. These include the XPS M1330 and XPS M1530. It's caused by the two-pronged connection between the mains lead and the power adapter, which isn't earthed properly because of its lack of a third pin. The laptop therefore exhibits an electrical potential (voltage) between its exposed metal parts (the brushed aluminum wrist pad) and earth ground. Since there is no earth, the human body basically acts as a wire that can conduct electric current, hence the tingling, jolting sensation.'"
This is the new ground breaking experience with laptops!
Where can I get one? I need a presant for my mother in law.
Someone save me from this sanity.
...what happens when you lick it?
Better or worse than a 9V battery?
"Dude, you've got a Dell!"
Windows 3.1x calc: 3.11 - 3.10 = 0.00
Don't shock me bro!
Knowledge is power. Knowledge shared is power lost.
The exploding / burning batteries, or the electric shock?
I think I'll stick to my ThinkPad, thank you much...
Damn_registrars has no butt-hole. Damn_registrars has no use for a butt-hole.
The machines have struck the first blow!
If you can read this, I forgot to post anonymously.
It keeps you awake in those meetings that seem to take *forever*.
Just keep in touch with your Dell laptop.
Windows 2000 - from the guys who brought us edlin
I guess you could say that the folks who bought these laptops got a shockingly good deal.
Do or do not. There is no try. --Jedi Master Yoda
"We deny all charges."
Authority questions you. Return the favor.
That tingle is from the websites you're visiting.
The engineers giving in to the Helpdesk people.
Think of the possibilities!
Tech: Ok, put your mouse over the 'My computer' Icon and right click...
Guy: Why does this have to be so complicated? Why doesn't everything just work right the first time? You Idiots should be shot!
Tech: Well Sir, if you would just...
Guy: I'm tired of you people and your attitudes, why I should...*ZAP* AHHH! WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?
Tech: Now what did you learn?
Guy: I'M GONNA KILL...*ZAAP* AHHH!
Tech: A bit slow today are we?
Cut open an unplugged three prog extension cord, exposing the three wires inside.
Cut open Dell power cord, exposing the two wires inside.
Position pieces of heat-shrink tube over the stripped inner wires to be joined.
Connect positive extension cord wire to positive laptop wire and solder.
Connect neg. wire to neg. wire and solder.
Connect the third ground wire to the exterior casing of the laptop with tape as to be removable.
Cover over the sealed three wires with heat shrink or electrical tape for asthetics.
Disclaimer: I'm assuming everyone here knows what they are doing. Mains power can be very hazardous and very deadly. Do NOT attempt this if you are unsure of what you are doing -- call someone more experienced if in doubt. But for those of you who know what you are doing, this should be an easy fix to avoid the shock of you being used for a ground wire.
Windows has detected an undetectable error.
(in which case you would get a buzz by sticking a paperclip into the ground pin on the outlet)
Are you trying to get someone killed?
Word. Dateline NBC is my one-stop information source for all things electrical.
Why, yes, you're clearly not using UL certified forks.
...I had the bright idea of touching a 9 volt battery to my *braces*.
I couldn't tell if the bright white flash/pop that followed came from just in front of my face, or from somewhere inside my head. Painful to say the least.
Can someone explain what happened?
I was sitting on the floor one day testing vacuum tubes, as teenagers are apt to do
Ah yes, gone are the carefree and reckless days of youth.
If moderation could change anything, it would be illegal.