Shocking Experience with W3

Anyone else got a shock from the bottom left hand corner of the mouse pad?

I had just plugged in the adapter for my W3 and I was running my fingers along the aluminum frame surrounding the mouse pad when I felt a little pain as I went over that corner. Thought it was like static shock so I touched that corner again and it was getting to be painful. So I unplugged the adapter, felt the corner and nothing as it was running off of battery power. Plugged it back in again, and the same thing...got shocked. Unplugged the adapter again and waited awhile (15-20 minutes) this time, plugged it back in again and it was gone.

Not sure if its a once in a while thing, cause as I'm looking at what would be the left mouse button, there is a slight discoloration near that corner. Thought it was from the oil on my finger or something, but if I'm getting shocked from that corner perhaps it got singed.

Now, every once in awhile I'm checking that corner to see if I get shocked again and nothing, but was getting a bit worried.

 

I've never had anything like that on my W3, i'm sure i'd notice any shorts on the touchpad. keep us posted though, i'd suggest if the problem re-occours to contact Asus, as that would certainly be a warranty issue. And ideally try and record the circumstances that led up to it happening again.

Also if you have a pacemaker, you might want to avoid using your machine until it's been looked into

 

I have heard about cases where another laptop did shock their users, i believe it was the Z70va. From my understanding it has something to do with static build up.

For example my car seats are cloth, when i get out of my car, and try to close the door by touching the metal, i get shocked everynow and then, especially in the winter. So it may just be that.

 

With static shock, it usually just zaps me and its over with. In this experience, it felt like the electricity was just continuously going and the pain was building the longer I maintain contact with the frame. Was really weird. Wonder if it has anything to do with the CD drive being in the same general locale. At any rate, if it happens again I'll have to contact Asus and bring it to an authorized service center. Good thing the W3 comes with a 1 yr global warranty!

 

Verify the ground connection. That usually happens to my V6J when I use power connections without grounding, or with poor grounding.

You can try feeling other metallic parts of the laptop, if the grounding is the problem then you will probably feel current there as well. I believe the LCD top of the W3 is alluminum, try feeling that, although that particular component might be isolated from the power circuit by the hinges, so you might not feel it there.

 

Ditto the above... sounds like a bad ground and that occurs 99% of the time at the wall... do you have real grounded sockets (3 prong) ..... or are you using a convertor plug to 2 prong?.... Perhaps is the electrical where your living older than 20 years?

 

Don't think its a grounding issue 'cause wouldn't I have felt the current on all of the metal frame surrounding the mousepad? I only got zapped when I touched the bottom left corner of that frame. Next time (if) it happens I'll touch all the metal parts to make sure. And I'm not using any converter...just a three pronged plug that came with the adapter. Thanks for the advice, though. Something to test the next time.

 

Can you take a picture and point out the exact spot you're getting this shocking feeling? It's certainly odd and although I've heard urban legends almost about it with notebooks in general, I've never felt it myself.

Now, are you aren't getting this on battery power...... just plugged in, huh? You wouldn't happen to have another power supply would you? I think there may be an issue with the circuitry in the brick itself.

 

If it happens again and it's not a grounded outlet, switch the socket plug 180 degrees, and see what happens

 

Attached is the image of the lower left hand corner. I got zapped at the bend.

Interesting you mentioned the brick. I checked the one I got zapped with and it was a generic adapter I bought in China. Same power ratings, plugs, and such so I figured it shouldn't be a problem. And I've been using it for 3 months now and its the first time I felt the charge....or perhaps its the first time I noticed it.

 

Aren't all notebook AC plugs grounded? At least all of the ones I've seen... so that would make it impossible to do that.

 

That's funny actually.... The W3j's don't have the aluminum touchpad surround that the W3v's had - that I could understand.... The tiny little bezel on the surround itself is chromed plastic..... I don't think that can even conduct electricity.

 

If its chromed plastic then it shouldn't conduct electricity. This is weird.

Thanks for your assistance Justin!

 

But power outlet may not be grounded, or it can have fake ground etc...

 

Right...... it shouldn't..... If the place is older, but has newer outlets.... it may have a spot for a ground, but the ground may not be hooked up..... I can put it simply... I'd be willing to bet the problem is in the power coming into the power supply, than in the notebook. If this is a new bulding, that would make that impossible based on today's electrical codes..... but it certainly seems like some sort of ground loop.