G4 Powerbook sends electricity through me...

Hi

Recently my powerbook G4 has started to send an electric current through my body when it is plugged in to the mains... not enough to give me an electric shock but enough to make the hairs on my hairs tingle!

It's not the power adapter as I've replaced that. Does anyone have any idea what else it might be and more importantly, whether it's worth the cost of getting it fixed.

Thanks

many_tentacles said:

Hi

Recently my powerbook G4 has started to send an electric current through my body when it is plugged in to the mains... not enough to give me an electric shock but enough to make the hairs on my hairs tingle!

It's not the power adapter as I've replaced that. Does anyone have any idea what else it might be and more importantly, whether it's worth the cost of getting it fixed.

Thanks

Click to expand...

Does this happen when you run your Powerbook on the battery?

- Nick

pigoo3 said:

Does this happen when you run your Powerbook on the battery?

- Nick

Click to expand...

Exactly, if doesn't do it with just the battery it has to be somewhere with the connection to the wall outlet. This connection could be where it attaches to your computer and may have nothing to do with the power cord itself. Not safe.

It does not do it when you run from the battery (although the battery only has enough life in to to run for about 5 minutes when fully charged).

So are you saying it's the wiring in my house where the problem lies or in the power socket on the laptop?

many_tentacles said:

It does not do it when you run from the battery (although the battery only has enough life in to to run for about 5 minutes when fully charged).

So are you saying it's the wiring in my house where the problem lies or in the power socket on the laptop?

Click to expand...

First you need to get a new battery.

Second...I know nothing about your home's wiring...or the electrical codes in your area/country. Since you used the term, "plugged in to the mains"...you're probably in the UK or at least outside the U.S.

You may live in an older home...with old electrical wiring...thus if your electrical outlets in your home are not properly grounded...then this sort of thing (getting little shocks from the metal of your laptop)...can happen.

If this is the case...you could try going to a friends newer home, new office building, or a local shopping center that probably has much newer wiring...plug in your laptop, and see if you still get these little shocks.

Hope this makes sense & helps,

- Nick

ALWAYS plug the power cord to the wall outlet, then the computer. see if it sparks then.