Thinkpads Forum

Hello everyone,

I need your opinion on what could be the cause of a weird problem I am facing with my 600x thinkpad.
When the laptop is running and I am in contact with it ( hands on the keyboard on even just a finger ) electricity is going through me. It's bearable but clearly I can feel the electricity. I tried to run the laptop without the AC adaptor only with battery and it seemed to stop the problem but I am not sure if it's only because the battery has less electricity power.

I would greatly appreciate your opinion and advises

Regards

Angel

It may be that your adapter is defective. In theory, the maximum voltage out of the adapter is roughly 16 volts. You shouldn't feel that.

Another possibilty it that internal voltages are getting to the shell of the laptop. I think the inverter runs at a higher voltage, but I am not sure.

Please get it checked by a service person - you want to be sure your laptop is safe. ... JD Hurst

Your AC adapter is not properly grounded and/or has the line and neutral switched. Has someone cut the ground off the line cord, or are you using an adapter to plug into an old style non-grounded outlet?

It could be a fault in the AC adapter, by my guess is a hacked line cord, plugging into an non-grounded outlet, or mis-wired outlet. No matter what the cause, it's reason for concern, if you were to come in contact with a hard electrical ground, you'll get more than just a tingle! Something to fix ASAP.

Tom

The plug on an IBM International power brick (100-240V) is not polarized, so it doesn't matter which way to plug it in. I have had laptops with power bricks that had a 3 pin plug (AC - Grounded) and of course, those ones must be plugged in properly (impossible to be wrong if the pins are intact). Still, your advice is sound - get this thing serviced immediately.
... JD Hurst

I would think the problem is more likely arising from a possible short in the inverter for the display.

Either way, you need to have this checked by a professional.

Regards,

James

jdhurst, tdesmit, JHEM thanks a lot for your advises! You scared me! you're completely right I need to have this problem checked asap.

Thanx again

Angel

Angel wrote:Hello everyone,

I need your opinion on what could be the cause of a weird problem I am facing with my 600x thinkpad.
When the laptop is running and I am in contact with it ( hands on the keyboard on even just a finger ) electricity is going through me. It's bearable but clearly I can feel the electricity. I tried to run the laptop without the AC adaptor only with battery and it seemed to stop the problem but I am not sure if it's only because the battery has less electricity power.

I would greatly appreciate your opinion and advises

Regards

Angel

Hi!

Did you think about static electricity? This might be another reason...

Besides, very light electrix strike one can get from teh modem - it has 12 V on the output...

Regards,
A.

i have had the same issue with non-grounded ac outlets in the older houses i've lived in. even thought of making a thin pad to put on the wrist rest area but never got it done. it is a disgusting feeling but seems to depend on a person's sensitivity (or whatever) since a friend of mine couldn't feel it even if it was apparent to me. another friend did though.

surely if there'd be a high-power shortcut for some reason it could be dangerous but my main concern about it always was just the unpleasant feeling about it.

I know this is an old thread however, its also possible the wall outlet is wired wrong. Buy or borrow a 3 prong outlet checker, has 3 lights on it and will tell you right away if socket is good or whats wrong.
Could be as simple as somebody installing a grounded outlet but didn't hook up the ground wire.

Try takeing your notebook to a freinds house and try it there. another possibilaty is that the bottom screws may be too tight, and they are touching parts they shoulden't be, (HMM michale jackson may have something to do with this) LOL!!!! JK. try loosening the bottom screws alittle, if that dosen't work, then try another AC adapter, ebay has TONS of them, around $40 with shipping, and if none of that works, then replace your motherboard.
regards.

Let me try to describe that better.


The bottom screws go through the motherboard and screw into the keyboard. the screws might be too tight, the tips of the screws may be tuching places they are not supposed to.
(we'll call em' michale jackson screws) LoL!!! I crack my-self up sometimes.
(sigh)
hope that helps