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I've had it with my MacBook Pro!

Jessica Lares

Jessica Lares

macrumors G3
Original poster
Oct 31, 2009
9,612
1,062
Near Dallas, Texas, USA
So, I've posted about this before, but it just happened again and I'm wondering what the heck is up!

My MacBook Pro LOVES to shock me! I'll have my hand next to the trackpad on the right, and it'll give my hand a really horrible static feeling every once in awhile. Kinda like when you're outside and touch someone and they go OW because of the shock coming from your hand. This is so much worse though.

And just now, I was using my external hard drive, which never has any issues, and I ejected it. As I pulled it out, not only did the screen start flickering, but this huge shock just went through my hand. Now I feel nauseous and in pain.

I'm definitely going to ditch this machine, but I wonder what exactly could be wrong with it in the first place? This is the only computer I've EVER had this problem with.

It's a late 2006 model.
 
As stated it may the material you wear or somehow you are not grounding yourself (hard to explain). If it isn't, then it could signify a major electrical problem with the system but it may not be likely if the machine is functioning normally. Does anyone else ever use your system and have the same issue? Do you have carpet or hardwood flooring?

Have you ever tried the 'static free' hand lotion? It works quite well with the MBP in my experience. One of the downsides of the more durable aluminum case is that it can shock you easier than a computer with a plastic case (which still can shock you).
 
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Does it only happen when plugged in?

Are you using a three prong plug to a grounded outlet?

Does it happen with other outlets or in other buildings?
 
When your feet slide on the carpet, your body builds up static electricity. I know this because I have carpet in my room. Whenever I am wearing shoes that conduct static from the carpet (or no shoes even) and I touch something dry, the static will sometimes discharge and create a shock. This especially happens when I slide my feet across the carpet and then I pet one of our cats. The electricity then discharges and shocks the cat! I know this for a fact. It is probably the static you are picking up on your carpet and then discharging when you touch something dry. This can happen if you are wearing moccasins and sliding around on the carpet. It is less likely to happen if you wear tennis shoes with rubber soles, because the rubber soles dissipate the static electricity.

Hope this helps,
Ward
 
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WardC said:
When your feet slide on the carpet, your body builds up static electricity. I know this because I have carpet in my room. Whenever I am wearing shoes that conduct static from the carpet (or no shoes even) and I touch something dry, the static will sometimes discharge and create a shock. This especially happens when I slide my feet across the carpet and then I pet one of our cats. The electricity then discharges and shocks the cat! I know this for a fact. It is probably the static you are picking up on your carpet and then discharging when you touch something dry. This can happen if you are wearing moccasins and sliding around on the carpet. It is less likely to happen if you wear tennis shoes with rubber soles, because the rubber soles dissipate the static electricity.

Hope this helps,
Ward
Click to expand...

This.

Also, it gets worse when it's dry. You might notice that this issue you're having gets worse during the winter months when the air is really dry. I always zap myself when I first touch my iMac's keyboard which is also aluminum.

On carpet I find that being barefoot (no socks or any footwear) helps a bit but doesn't necessarily eliminate it.
 
i know what you mean...

i know exactly what you mean i can be typing and if i touch either bottom right of bottom left under the speakers then i get like a small tingling...

i finally figured out that it was the external dvd drive i was using to burn DL discs as my drive has given up on them causing it - as soon as its unplugged then pow no more tingling...

might be worth looking into...



Vinda
 
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