ATTN All Dell 9400/e1705 Owners!!!

I recently had my laptop a Dell 9400 replaced because it was giving off between 19 and 65 volts AC off any screw on the bottom of the laptop. I now have 3 of these 9400's in my shop, My new replacement and 2 brand new fresh out of the box systems for clients.

All 3 of them have the exact same problem. I know it is not my electrical system, as this is a PC repair shop and we have everything tested and certified regularly. So it seems to me as if this may be a MAJOR problem with these laptops. Could anyone else who has a 9400 or e1705 please grab a multi meter and test theirs out for me? Set the MultiMeter to measure AC, then touch the red lead to a screw on the bottom of the laptop, The wireless card cover screws work well, and touch the black led to something metal that you can ground to.

I am seriously concerned for myself and any other 9400 owners at this point. When I am using the laptop on my lap, my wife says I feel like a 9 volt battery. Given the fact I have 3 brand new less than 1 week old systems here, all with the same problem, I would almost guarantee this is a much ore widespread problem than anyone knows.

So please 9400/e1705 owners, PLEASE Check the bottoms of your laptops. Please break out the multi meters and see if you are getting a charge. On my first laptop, this problem lead to the death of my RAM and my Video Card.

Thank you,
Randy

 

I heard of something similar happening on another notebook, and as I recall, it was a Dell.

I don't think I'll be able to find the thread, but I'll give it a shot...

 

That sounds alarming, have you tested any other models?

 

Can't find the thread I had read before, but here is a similar thread that relates to the problem being solved:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=95220

Granted, that problem doesn't seem as bad as a shock itself, but it may prove some insight into the problem.

 

I have not tested any other models, as I do not have access to any of them currently. But I do have 3 of these 9400's all brand new, all with the exact same problem!!!

Thanks Jon, I will check that thread in a second.

Edit:: This grounded adapter is something I have considered. Unfortunately I had one of those in the shop just last week. If I had thought of it then Iw ould have been able to test this for certain. That is one thing, none of these laptops have a grounded adapter with them, they are all 2 prongs.

 

A three pronged adapter could very well be the answer to the problem.

For 3 notebooks to have the same problem, it clearly is a design flaw on Dell's part, they should offer 3 pronged adapters with the notebooks.

I mean, I haven't had a notebook that didn't come with a 3 pronged adapter for about 5 years now...

 

Being that a large part of my job is the repair of laptops, I have seen alot of them with only 2 prong adapters. But it is usually on your cheaper laptops. Not generally something you see on a $3200 dollar rig.

I have this same thread posted on several forums, so I am hopeful I will get some results from other owners as well. In the meantime I have one of the laptops going to an electrical engineer to be tested. He is going to try and trace down the cause of the shock.

 

I have a 10 month old e1705 and haven't had any problems, on or off A/C, laptop resting on bare skin or clothes. I'll check it with my Fluke, but I doubt I have this issue.

 

Good I would appreciate it. So far I have had about 30 people test this, and only found one other laptop with this problem. It was built in December.

*Edit*
Make that 8 other laptops.

 

I just spoke with Dell, They are going to start an investigation and will likely be checking these threads as well. The lady said she would keep me in the loop, so we shall see.

 

Viriiguy,

I did a quick check on my new e1705 (received laptop 1/30/07) last night and did not see any voltage indication on the meter. (red lead to the various screws on the bottom of the laptop black to various metal objects on the kitchen sink) Looks like I may have lucked out?

Tom

 

Quite possibly. We have cofirmed this is a real problem, and is common amongst the Dell systems. We have also proven a grounded adapter would have solved this whole mess.

http://www.notebookforums.com/post2546920.html#post2546920

 

following this thread ... is there any concern for a user who wouldn't know any better? i.e. me? notebook is on a cooler, on my desk. never use it on my lap, just other desks.

i'm concerned about data loss, performance issues and damage to other components (display, internals, etc.) -- any reason to worry?

 

I don't get the shock. However, my house has no 3 prong outlets in the first place so I'm happy mine is 2. My desktop is in a power strip on one of those adapters, and when I touch a metal part of the case and, say, a heater vent, I get a nasty shock. And I don't mean a quick zzt, I mean a continuous current! Is this because I have it in one of those adapters? It only seems to happen in this one outlet...

 

Sounds like you have the hot (120V prong) and neutral (0V prong) switched around. Try turning everything off connected to the strip, turn the plug in the wall 180 degrees, and see if you get the same shock.