Really weird MBP question

[ryanh888]

ok, so I just got a new C2D MBP a few weeks ago. I am beginning to notice something very strange. When I put my forearms on the case (like when im typing) I seem to get shocked... Its not like a really jolting shock... but it does hurt pretty badly. Its either that, or my like really little hairs on my arm are getting sucked into the casing somehow... which I don't think is the case.

It doesnt happen all the time. But its been getting worse and more frequent. I really have no idea what is going on! The MBP is fine other than this. Has anyone heard anything like this at all? It seems to be coming from the little gap between the silver part of the MBP (around the keys/trackpad) and the gray "outer casing"

This is very strange to me, and frankly makes it very uncomfortable to type sometimes. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Ryan

 

[i.comm]

your arms hairs are getting trapped in the casing?

 

[emotion]

Does it do it when the laptop is working off batteries?

 

[ryanh888]

?

i definitely dont think its the hair thing, i have like no hair on my forearms. and yes, i have noticed it on just battery power. verrry odd.

 

[emotion]

i have noticed it on just battery power. verrry odd.

Yeah, that is a little odd.

 

[fivetoadsloth]

i know i heard this before, probably on here, search the forms a bit, im sure someone will link you i tihnk it was decided to be a small electrical shock, and im not sure how it was fixed, sprry and good luck

 

[4np]

I have on my PowerBook G4 a similar thing; sometimes the edges of the casing feel 'sharp' (or perhaps shocking?) or something, while it is not sharp at all. Have no clue where that feeling comes from but appearantly you're experiencing something similar.

More people experiencing this? Must be something with the casing. Static electricity?

 

[Scarlet Fever]

Take it back and see what they say. It sounds like power is leaking into the casing somewhere along the system.

 

[i.comm]

Take it back and see what they say. It sounds like power is leaking into the casing somewhere along the system.

arrah, except the mbp wouldn't conduct treacle if you wired to the national grid... hairs getting caught in casing, as i said... i reckon... maybe if you have no hairs it's bcos mbp has shreeded them all already?

 

[capoditutti]

It sounds like there is power leakage on the DC circuit of your machine and this is 'earthed' when you're running on AC power (hence you can't detect it) - the puzzling question for me is where it's leaking from - it could be leaking from the ac/dc module, or a main part of the logic board, as most of the other small voltages are not easy to detect.. You're picking up a significant current - get it checked out ASAP..

sorry bout that - electrickery can do that sometimes

 

[i.comm]

It sounds like there is power leakage on the DC circuit of your machine and this is 'earthed' when you're running on AC power (hence you can't detect it) - the puzzling question for me is where it's leaking from - it could be leaking from the ac/dc module, or a main part of the logic board, as most of the other small voltages are not easy to detect.. You're picking up a significant current - get it checked out ASAP..

sorry bout that - electrickery can do that sometimes

there are no significant currents in a laptop!

 

[ryanh888]

thanks for all the help guys. I actually just got off the phone with an applecare "specialist." We changed the adapter from the two prong to the three prong and so far it seems to have worked. He said that it could have just been a faulty adapter, but if the shocks continue with the three prong then I have to send it back. Again, thanks for all the help!

 

[capoditutti]

there are no significant currents in a laptop!

I correct myself technically - he was experiencing a sensation caused by a combination of current and voltage large enough to be detected by touch.. I agree that in principle laptops have no significant currents, but when ~3.5A is passing thru @ ~19Volts, you'll feel it hehehe.. Thanks for the correction i.comm..

 

[IlluminatedSage]

ok, so I just got a new C2D MBP a few weeks ago. I am beginning to notice something very strange. When I put my forearms on the case (like when im typing) I seem to get shocked... Its not like a really jolting shock... but it does hurt pretty badly. Its either that, or my like really little hairs on my arm are getting sucked into the casing somehow... which I don't think is the case.

Ryan

My MBP had something similar. although i am less sensitive than you.

my solution that works excellent for me is the Marware Protection Pack for MacBook™ Pro

It is excellent, essentially it is merely a very thin stick on wrist protector for the MBP.

trust me it works. very much so for the problem you are mentioning.

it is avail at apple stores. and online at http://www.marware.com

it's cheap and i highly recommend this, for ANY macbook or macbook pro

 

[Scarlet Fever]

there are no significant currents in a laptop!

there isnt a significant current, but the static voltage must be pretty high for you to be feeling it. I know what you are feeling; i had the same thing on my TiBook, and 4np has the issue on a PowerBook G4. It isn't enough to kill you, and probably not your notebook, but it is enough to be distracting and sometimes painful.

 

[i.comm]

thanks for all the help guys. I actually just got off the phone with an applecare "specialist." We changed the adapter from the two prong to the three prong and so far it seems to have worked. He said that it could have just been a faulty adapter, but if the shocks continue with the three prong then I have to send it back. Again, thanks for all the help!

interesting... could have been an earthing problem then?

 

[capoditutti]

thanks for all the help guys. I actually just got off the phone with an applecare "specialist." We changed the adapter from the two prong to the three prong and so far it seems to have worked. He said that it could have just been a faulty adapter, but if the shocks continue with the three prong then I have to send it back. Again, thanks for all the help!

Ryanh888, could you post a picture with the two cables you were using, and the power adapter/s?

 

[i.comm]

I correct myself technically - he was experiencing a sensation caused by a combination of current and voltage large enough to be detected by touch.. I agree that in principle laptops have no significant currents, but when ~3.5A is passing thru @ ~19Volts, you'll feel it hehehe.. Thanks for the correction i.comm..

you're right... i guess though at least you know when it wakes from sleep, even if it does the battery no good!

 

[capoditutti]

interesting... could have been an earthing problem then?

I'm confused now - i thought it wasn't zapping on AC - only on battery ?!?

 

[iBorg20181]

there isnt a significant current, but the static voltage must be pretty high for you to be feeling it. I know what you are feeling; i had the same thing on my TiBook, and 4np has the issue on a PowerBook G4. It isn't enough to kill you, and probably not your notebook, but it is enough to be distracting and sometimes painful.

Not to mention that this "short-circuiting" could cause future problems with your MBP, perhaps even after the warranty expires! I'd certainly get it repaired or replaced, for this reason alone.

I remember reading about this happening to some Aluminum PowerBooks when they debuted - don't remember if it was widespread, or what solution was found, though.

iBorg

 

[deadpixels]

I remember reading about this happening to some Aluminum PowerBooks when they debuted - don't remember if it was widespread, or what solution was found, though.

iBorg

it's true, my (now sold) alubok had this problem, nothing hapenned when i typed but i used to get this "shock" when putting my forearm on the laptop, never thought it was a big deal so i didnt do anything about it and tha machine still works fine after 3 and a half years

 

[SiliconAddict]

I've seen this behavior before in Dell Latitudes. With cases that are plastic no less.
What it is, is a combination of a couple things. The user, and the computer. Some people are more sensitive to poor grounding in laptops due to the thinness at the wrists between your veins/blood, and the laptop. This is why I'd be willing to bet if you just placed your palm on the rests that nothing happens right? That and I think a lack of something in the blood. Can't remember if it was iron or something? for me the problem when away when I started drinking more water.

PS- The only issue is a slight grounding problem. If you can live with it the computer itself will be fine. MY money is on a poorly install logic board in the thing. If it's slightly off and is touching the metal of the case it not properly grounded and with you sitting there with your wrists exposed...well you get the drift.