Electric Shocks off Keyboard

[Fadetoblack]

I keep getting a shock (a pretty sore one a moment ago) when I use the "c" and "d" keys...any ideas?

[vegyjones]

Don't use the C and D keys :D

[Win2Win]

Put yer wellies on....

[Fadetoblack]

This forum should have restricted reply access. Glos only...something like that...

[andyp]

It could stand for Direct Current? :D

[Win2Win]

First Wayne wants a free TV guide, now Fade can't be spending £3 on a new keyboard.......no wonder they set fire to carpets :D

[presto]

strange - there shouldn't be any shock as (i assume) the keys are plastic.

[roma]

It must be static. Try cleaning it?
- if poss with those computer cleaning wipes - I think they have anti-static in them

Or, if you just cleaned it and that's why you're getting the static, try getting it dirty :D

[vegyjones]

I have a tube of anti static wipes if you want them fade?

They are out of date though, don't know if that means the anti-staticness has worn off though?

[sparkyminer]

I thought this thread was about one of Presto's porno films. :)

[Win2Win]

I thought this thread was about one of Presto's porno films. :)

I'd hate to have a reputation like that!

[Fadetoblack]

Not sure if it's static....would it keep happening in the same place...and a couple of times really sore?

[Win2Win]

If it's not a metal keyboard (which would be strange), then I don't see how you can get a shock! Sure you don't have finger nail cramp?

[presto]

I thought this thread was about one of Presto's porno films. :)

i swear i wanted the 'george orwell' version of 'animal farm'

I'd hate to have a reputation like that!

[Win2Win]

Presto is the best to answer this anyway......he knows a lot about rubbing something vigorously while using a keyboard.......maybe it's given him a shock

[John]

It most likely is static from somewhere, monitors used to produce high static charges but I'm not so sure the newer ones would. You're not wearing a woolly jumper in this heat are you? :) Give this link a go though, and try everything under "Keyboard". I'm inclined to do this myself as my keyboard is filthy.

http://macs.about.com/cs/tutorialsba...peripheral.htm

[vegyjones]

If you occasionally scoff the odd crisp or sweet at your PC,
try tipping the keyboard upside down, you'll be amazed what comes out!

[vegyjones]

If you occasionally scoff the odd crisp or sweet at your PC,
try tipping the keyboard upside down, you'll be amazed what comes out!

It's like Lunch is sorted!

[Win2Win]

Presto's has ash & kebab vomit in it!!

[presto]

Presto's has ash & kebab vomit in it!!

but it keeps it static free :)

[Merlin]

http://support.gateway.com/support/m...69/8508369.htm

Not sure if this is relevant

Dont try this one though
http://72.14.209.104/search?q=cache:...&ct=clnk&cd=10

[Fadetoblack]

Thanks Guys..

Do you think I should bring it back to the shop? It's still under warranty

[roma]

Static can be quite powerful. I would try the anti-static wipes first. I don't see how it could be a direct current shock through plastic keys.

If you have a metal or plastic-topped workstation, try putting a rubber mat underneath the keyboard (eg a spare mouse mat) or a cork mat

[roma]

Or you could put Marigolds on every time you use the computer!

[Win2Win]

Or you could put Marigolds on every time you use the computer!

Back to Presto again.....

[vegyjones]

[GlosRFC]

This has to be the strangest request I've seen - yet you haven't said if it's a PC or a laptop as that could be significant. It's extremely unlikely to be an electrical shock with a PC keyboard and even less if it's a wireless model. At most the keyboard will be drawing 5v with the current measured in milliamps while a wireless keyboard will be operating on a couple of AA batteries. At those levels you're not going to feel a thing. It could be a static discharge but that too seems unlikely as you'd probably feel it across all of the keys rather than the same two. A good test would be to see if you get the same shock when wearing different footwear - if you experience it when you're rubbing nylon socks along the carpet while typing then it's a good bet that static might be involved. If so, replace your carpets with a rubber sheet!

A laptop is another kettle of fish. Some laptops on the market do give electric shocks due to incorrect grounding. Although this could be a defective laptop, it's pretty rare, although Sony does produce a model (Vaio 110-120 http://www.geek.com/news/geeknews/20...0308035176.htm) that is prone to giving unwary typists a jolt. The most obvious cause is incorrect grounding and that is invariably caused by the power adaptor. Most of them might look like they have three prongs but the earth prong is probably just a dummy plastic one. You'll need to get a properly earthed power adaptor to solve the problem. Again, you can perform a simple test - plug in another peripheral which IS earthed such as a printer or monitor, and the electrical shock should go away.

[Fadetoblack]

Thanks Glos....it's a Compaq laptop. I got my brother to try a typing test yersterday and nothing happened him. That's the annoying thing, as I'm writing this now nothing has happened but I know that it's iminent.

I rang PC World and a woman came and said I'll put ya through to John and we;ll see if he can help. "Grand" i said, John sounds like the name of someone who can speak english and will understand me. John comes on with an indian accent. I tell him my problem.

I'm getting electric shocks from my keyboard.

"You have extra stocks of keyboard?"

Eh...

Eventually he was so confused, and after telling me that it was impossible a couple of times he told me to bring it over so he could test it.

Not looking forward to that.

[GlosRFC]

When he "tests" it, make sure he runs a voltmeter across the keyboard and facia. If it's not grounded properly, the voltmeter should definitely spike.

[Fadetoblack]

OK excellent, thanks Glos...I was dreading going over there, nothing happening to him and getting laughed out of the store. Thank you, come again.