Curse

Alexandra-Sweet · Jul 25, 2008, 11:37 AM // 11:37

My laptop doesn't like me anymore (probably because I had it turned on 5 days straight) so it gave me a nasty shock. -.-

Like honestly aren't those things protected to prevent such things?
I still have the warranty and stuff so I guess I could get a new one but it pisses me off because this is the second laptop that hates me (and thus shocks me).

Snograt · Jul 25, 2008, 12:01 PM // 12:01

It gave you a shock? Bloody hell, warranty or not, have that right back to the manufacturers for a full refund/replacement.

Must ask, though - was it a full-on jolt as if you had touched a bare cable, or was it more akin to a static shock? Much more plausible, much less lethal.

Alexandra-Sweet · Jul 25, 2008, 12:08 PM // 12:08

I got a mild shock a few minutes before the big one, I though it was nothing because my keyboard is made out of some silly stuff that feels pretty weird.

I touched the keyboard (left Ctrl key) and got a rather big shock that made my hand pull away instantly, and my pinky finger retracted, all that within half a second but still hurt a bit afterwards.

I guess me and electricity don't go along that well.

zamial · Jul 25, 2008, 01:25 PM // 13:25

I would send this:

Dear (insert company name here),
I have recently purchased (insert make and model# here). While I believe this to be a superior product, by a superior company, I have a problem. The above mentioned product is shocking me through the keyboard. This does not appear to be some sort of static discharge, more like an electrical current. The last 1 was pretty powerful. It caused my fingers to contract.

I do understand a fair amount; on computers (list any relative info here).
I do frequent technical forums and would hate to have to post my experience with this product, in order to warn others about the possibility of electrocution. I am also a little distraught as I am currently afraid of my laptop. I look forward to resolving this issue in a timely fashion, as I mentioned above, from a superior company.

Sincerely,
(Your name and contact info here.)

It is possible to get free stuff, free stuff is good.

Alexandra-Sweet · Jul 25, 2008, 01:32 PM // 13:32

Was kind of planning to go back to the store where I bought it and slam the laptop in someone's head, but your method works as well. >.>

And free stuff is most of the time some usb stick. I have too many of those. n.n

zamial · Jul 25, 2008, 01:36 PM // 13:36

Since 90% of laptops are "prebuilts" I would send that letter to the actual manufacturer's support teams. I find being polite, persistant, and trying to be reasonable works best, esspecially with support people. Rage on a telemarketer, they suxors anyways.

You can also add in a line about a "class A electrical fire on your lap". That is a scary thought......

Alexandra-Sweet · Jul 25, 2008, 01:47 PM // 13:47

The Toshiba site isn't making much sense, can't find any contact email adresses, just links to stores where you can go and have the thing fixed.

Fril Estelin · Jul 25, 2008, 02:00 PM // 14:00

A few years ago, a Toshiba Satellite Pro died on me and Toshiba gave me a new one because it was due to some physical default of the laptop design, so it was their fault (the annoying stick-mouse was above the harddisk and pushing the mouse caused damage on it).

I'd advise you to search the net for similar problems on your laptop model, just in case. Then call the company's after sale/support and present your case.

Or you may be a Cylon/cyborg, which would explain the electricity phenomenons. (more seriously, there are case of people who cause problems to stuff, my mother could not wear a watch, any kind)

wesman · Jul 25, 2008, 02:01 PM // 14:01

Yea I have seen this happen... A lot of the Dell XPS M13s had this problem when they first came out, something about a circuit shorting and being redirected into the palm rest. Anyhow definitely get in contact with the manufacturer (Toshiba I am guessing from your last post) or if you got it from a "brick and mortar" store see if they will simply replace it for you.

Hehe don't take it personal some electronic just go bad, no matter who is using them. If you are religious call it predestination

SnipiousMax · Jul 25, 2008, 06:58 PM // 18:58

I heard of this happening with the M1330's and M1530's from dell. Still, I think that'd be a dealbreaker for me. Are there aluminum inserts around your keys?

Also, I keep my laptop on all the time... is that supposed to be bad for it?

Snow Bunny · Jul 25, 2008, 07:16 PM // 19:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by SnipiousMax

Also, I keep my laptop on all the time... is that supposed to be bad for it?

I've heard it is. I've actually heard that over time it will slow your computer down quite a bit.

I hate my laptop :<

Siirius Black · Jul 25, 2008, 07:29 PM // 19:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snow Bunny

I've heard it is. I've actually heard that over time it will slow your computer down quite a bit.

I hate my laptop :<

Wear I supposed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alexandra-Sweet

The Toshiba site isn't making much sense, can't find any contact email adresses, just links to stores where you can go and have the thing fixed.

Was your computer a Toshiba A75???
I believe there was a class action agianst toshiba because of a similar problem.

Alexandra-Sweet · Jul 25, 2008, 08:16 PM // 20:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Siirius Black

Was your computer a Toshiba A75???
I believe there was a class action agianst toshiba because of a similar problem.

Toshiba Satellite P200-15N

Quote:

Originally Posted by SnipiousMax

Are there aluminum inserts around your keys?

I think, it's some kind of metal, not sure if it's aluminum.

zamial · Jul 28, 2008, 01:36 PM // 13:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by SnipiousMax

Also, I keep my laptop on all the time... is that supposed to be bad for it?

Ok, in a perfect world, no. In reality it also depends on the OS you are running. Linix and I beleive mac (I am not a mac expert) are designed, to be left running indefinatly. Windows, is a different story. Windows OS up to XP (not sure if this was fixed in vista) can not flush its memory, it does this at a shutdown/restart. So, If you never reboot the computer, over time, the memory "fills up" , and this normaly will mean that the paging file will be used up untill it is gone. Then the computer eventually BSoD's and does a memory dump, followed by a forced shutdown and restart. The computers proformance continually deminishes during this proccess. The more ram you have the longer this proccess takes.

This is also the 1st thing any windows "help desk" asks you to do, as a restart does solve alot of issues.

It is human nature to not want to wait on your PC. Most people will answer when asked: When did you last do a shutdown and restart? I do that everynight/day.(The sillys do not know that the computer logs this info and you can show it to them.) When did you last run your antivirus, adware, spyware scan and defrag? I do that every week. (Thats why adaware has been last used 186 days ago and needs updates.....) People lie all the time when dealing with computers. As a tech you learn this FAST.

Now we will talk about wasted power. SHAME ON YOU. If you are not using it turn it off. You are slowly killing the planet and your hardware. Fans continue to run and if they burn out from having never had a break and being clogged full of dust,( since you cleaned the comp out the last time you ran your scans.....

!)
and noone is around, it will not be long before we see a "My new comp build" thread.

Human nature is a funny thing, as a computer techs we definatly get a good look at the darker side of people, and learn to manipulate it.

It all starts with a shutdown and restart.

@OP good luck with your issue.

Alexandra-Sweet · Jul 28, 2008, 01:51 PM // 13:51

I gave Toshiba a call and after a long argument I somewhat lost my temper and they decided to no longer offer me support, so I sent an email to the store where I bought the laptop and they are gladly willing to send the laptop back to a Toshiba factory and have it checked, though I honestly hope they will give me another laptop (preferably another model to prevent the same problem)

SnipiousMax · Jul 28, 2008, 08:30 PM // 20:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by zamial

<snip>

Well, I guess my question was more along the lines of:

"Is it okay to have the laptop plugged in, even though it's off/hibernating/sleeping and not being used?"

Rather than:

"I waste power, don't do virus scans and never restart my computer when it's feeling laggy, is it okay to leave my computer on without power options, etc?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alexandra-Sweet

they decided to no longer offer me support

Sorry to hear that... Seems like something like: "My laptop is trying to kill me" would avoid the normal "must be the user's fault, and isn't covered by the warranty" talk that people usually give. I totally understand that it usually IS something that the user did, or does, or can fix with a reboot and green mind (

) but this is something entirely out of the ordinary. Seems like they should have been more helpful considering they won't sell many laptops to user's that fry themselves from touching the ctrl key.

Snograt · Jul 28, 2008, 09:11 PM // 21:11

Hehehe - exactly how badly did you lose your temper?

I wouldn't mess with you

Alexandra-Sweet · Jul 28, 2008, 09:21 PM // 21:21

First they put me on hold with some retarted elevator music to keep me occupied for 20 min~

Then I get some nerd on the phone that goes through a list of basics like, have you tried restoring your laptop to factory default, have you tried another power cable, are any other metalic parts of your laptop electrified (honestly I'm NEVER touching that laptop again), did you spill water on your laptop.

So I was pretty much wasting time on this person so I told him I would put his face on the keyboard and slam the lid close on him if he wouldn't send someone to pick the damn thing up and have it fixed, that's when he told me he would no longer offer me support.

wesman · Jul 28, 2008, 09:35 PM // 21:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alexandra-Sweet

First they put me on hold with some retarted elevator music to keep me occupied for 20 min~

Then I get some nerd on the phone that goes through a list of basics like, have you tried restoring your laptop to factory default, have you tried another power cable, are any other metalic parts of your laptop electrified (honestly I'm NEVER touching that laptop again), did you spill water on your laptop.

So I was pretty much wasting time on this person so I told him I would put his face on the keyboard and slam the lid close on him if he wouldn't send someone to pick the damn thing up and have it fixed, that's when he told me he would no longer offer me support.

Lol well thats one way to do it

try another tactic next time though and see what happens

nerds are to sensitive for that type of talk.

Tarun · Jul 28, 2008, 10:14 PM // 22:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alexandra-Sweet

So I was pretty much wasting time on this person so I told him I would put his face on the keyboard and slam the lid close on him if he wouldn't send someone to pick the damn thing up and have it fixed, that's when he told me he would no longer offer me support.

Frankly, I don't blame him for refusing to provide support. You were rude and there was no need for that. Next time just ask for the supervisor if they start doing the 20 questions bit.