Case not grounded?

[Jugernot]

I live a part of the country that is VERY dry during this time of year and therefore we have alot of static electricity. I have noticed that if I touch the metal of my computer case, I will get shocked and my computer will lockup. Isn't the case supposed to be grounded?

Jugs

 

[jsbush]

Does that to me when I rub my hand on my monitor then touch my case.

Is your computer on carpet?

 

[paruhd0x]

How do you ground your case? Heh I feel like a newb.

 

[Viperoni]

juternot, you get a shock BECAUSE it's grounded.
Think about it; if it wasn't, where would the charge go?
You sure do get a lot of static if it'll lockup your comp...I suggest you grab something else other than your comp 🙂

 

[R0b0tN1k]

The computer case is grounded through the power supply. When you shock your computer like that, it is probably raising the voltage on the ground planes of all your components and possibly doing Very Bad Things to them. Don't do it. I used to do this all the time with the old 386, so I dunno.

 

[Jhhnn]

Hhmmm....Sounds like the case IS grounded, maybe not very well judging from the reboot behavior. Are you plugged in to a real 3-prong outlet, or cheating with an adapter? Does the wall receptacle grip the plug tightly? Have you tested the receptacle with an inexpensive outlet checker?

 

[nickburns]

yeah, if i touched my case and it locked up, that would be the last time i touched it

 

[Jugernot]

Well I'm not doing it on purpose by any means! I will just be walking by and will touch my tower and i'll get a shock. My speakers pop and my computer will lockup, this this has happened about 3 times so far.

I know that the PS grounds the case, but I suppose I just got the concept of conductivity wrong. I thought when a computer was grounded the shock would be absorbed by the ground wire in the cable, no?

My computer is pluggin into a 3 pronged wall outlet, then hooked into a Interex surge suppressor.

 

[heng1028]

if you want to touch your case without a shock, just use your feet to touch the metal part of your chair. and you will never have a shock

 

[Jumpem]

Off topic, but maybe get a humidifier to help with the dry air.

 

[white]

the case is grounded through the power supply because the power supply is grounded to earth through your house/apartment/etc. the reason you get shocked when you touch the metal on your case is because you are getting rid of charge that you developed through various activities. friction from walking on your carpet may do that especially in dry weather.