My computer shocks the bejesus out of me.

[IsenMike]

When I built my new rig a few weeks ago I moved the old computer downstairs to my living room to set up as a media box. Since I moved it, it has been shocking the hell out of me whenever I touch it. Sometimes from inches away. It doesn't seem to affect the computer, except for once when I got shocked on the same side of the case as the mobo, and it reset.

I figured it had to be a problem with the ground wire, so I got a tester and checked out the outlet it was plugged into. Socket reads fine, ground wire is good to go.

Not sure what else would have changed since moving it downstairs. It is sitting on carpet, rather than a desk. Or maybe the computer is just lonely and bitter since I've upgraded?

Any ideas?

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

Something to read until help arrives.. http://hardwaresecrets.com/article/18/1

 

[JAG87]

put a piece of wood under it

plastic + carpet = pissed off electrons

 

[Zebo]

Bad PSU is my guess. I had an Antec PSU that put out 27 volts AC to case.

You can this too. Either put one electrode on multimeter in ground outlet or in damp ground outside and one to case or PSU cover see what it reads both AC and DC.

 

[Tinkerman]

I had this happen once, it turned out to be a loose screw rattling around.

 

[Tiamat]

if its not a bad PSU, loose screw, and it still shocks you when it is not contacting carpet, check the relative humidity of your room. Electrical shocks seem to be more rampant at RH less than 50%.

 

[MedicBob]

Originally posted by: Tiamat
if its not a bad PSU, loose screw, and it still shocks you when it is not contacting carpet, check the relative humidity of your room. Electrical shocks seem to be more rampant at RH less than 50%.

My thinking also.

 

[IsenMike]

Originally posted by: Tiamat
if its not a bad PSU, loose screw, and it still shocks you when it is not contacting carpet, check the relative humidity of your room. Electrical shocks seem to be more rampant at RH less than 50%.

This seems like the most likely culprit to me, since the shocking started only once I'd moved the computer downstairs, and I've ruled out the carpet. Recently other appliances in the same room have started shocking me as well. How would I check the relative humidity?

 

[paydirt]

I once lived in a place in Chicago and during the winter, the static and shocking was ridiculous! The heater that warms your place, sucks the humidity out of the air and can cause shocking, dry skin, and it can affect sleep too. If this is the case, get a humidifier with a digital readout and one that is rated for a house/apartment/dorm room of your size. Winter is almost over though!

 

[TantrumusMaximus]

I live in Michigan and this has been happening to me at almost every light switch the past few weeks.... we've just got over a very very cold spell of weather and I haven't had this happen since it warmed up. May be similar to your prob.

 

[tylerdustin2008]

Haha that must suck.

 

[IsenMike]

Originally posted by: paydirt
I once lived in a place in Chicago and during the winter, the static and shocking was ridiculous! The heater that warms your place, sucks the humidity out of the air and can cause shocking, dry skin, and it can affect sleep too. If this is the case, get a humidifier with a digital readout and one that is rated for a house/apartment/dorm room of your size. Winter is almost over though!

The room in question also contains a small library's worth of books on a couple of bookshelves. Would I have to worry about the humidifier damaging the books? Or do you think if I set it low enough it might solve the static problem without dampening any pages?

Originally posted by: TantrumusMaximus
I live in Michigan and this has been happening to me at almost every light switch the past few weeks.... we've just got over a very very cold spell of weather and I haven't had this happen since it warmed up. May be similar to your prob.

Yeah, the light switch has also shocked me a couple of times. My room-mate is convinced that we have a problem with demons.

 

[BladeVenom]

Originally posted by: IsenMike
My room-mate is convinced that we have a problem with demons.

Electricity comes from power plants not demons. Now if your appliances started shooting out fireballs, then it might be demons.

 

[aigomorla]

Does this problem only happen to you? or does it also happen to your room mates comp?

If both comps are experiencing this, its a bad ground cable on your apt's power line. Id have your manger check it out asap, as it can fry some equiptment if left unfixed.

If its just your comp thats experiencing it, id do these in this order:

Change to a new Power cable: <-- maybe your cable is just bad.

Change PSU: <--- definitely something fubard with your PSU if top two isnt it

If that doesnt fix it, then, no you dont have demons, you have gremilins lurking about at night.


Bah read down the post on other appliances...

You definitely have a bad ground. Have the manager/parent/you send for a electrician to check out your ground. I had the exact same problem, and it was a bad ground.

 

[paydirt]

As far as humidifying and books, what I would do is simply not start out a humidifier at full blast. I would set it to a medium setting and see how the static and the room reacts. You also do not want to do high humidity because it is still cold (if you live in cold states). I live in Indiana and a 55% is working for me. I'm not a library scientist though. I've noticed much more difference between books by having them in a car than having them in a moderately humid house.