weird Powerbook 'vibration' when using power adapter

[toby1]

Has anyone else had this problem?
When I have my Powerbook G4 17" 1.0 plugged in using the power adapter, I get a strange 'vibration' feeling when my hand runs across the top of the base just below the keys and around the track pad. When I am typing, I often get little electric shocks on my wrists where they are touching the forward edge of the keyboard. It kind of feels like a hair is getting pulled out of my forearm, but it is a little electric shock.
When the mac is on my lap, I can touch another person and feel the 'vibration' feeling through my finger so I assume it is an earthing issue?
As soon as I pull out the cord and go to battery power it stops.
Does anyone know what this might be and is it dangerous at all?

 

[gr8tfly]

If you have the power adapter plugged in using the 2-prong flip-out plug, try replacing it with the extension cable it came with. It's a 3-prong, grounded plug. That might take care of it. Sounds like it's a slight ground loop you are feeling on the metal skin.

 

[JohanVild]

there's a former thread about it. it is not dangerous, and can be alleviated by grounding your laptop.
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/296880/

 

[snugja]

Interesting

That used to happen to me with my 1.25ghz PB a while back. Always thought it was nothing myself.

 

[appleram]

Vibration On Macbook

Hi,

I bought a new MACBOOK recently, the all aluminum version and found that whenever i plugged in the power adapter it would give a vibration onto the display as also the metal frame near the keyboard and trackpad. I almost thought that i have buggered up my adapter whilst using it in the train on an 110 V socket as the standard supply in India is 220 V AC. I figured that the actual problem was with the grounding as there is none with the two pronged connector of the adapter provided with MACBOOK. So I shifted over to the three pin connector with the third pin grounded on the power source end i.e. the socket. Since i was using a Euro socket on an Indian 3 pin configuration it did not work so i pulled out a sheathed cable from the euro male connector and routed it into the indian third pin socket. The problem is now resolved and i do not get any vibration / shock on the aluminum body anymore.

 

[DoNoHarm]

I've had this same problem with my Macbook Pro and it is the most ridiculous problem to still exist. I have a toaster, TV, blue ray player, etc. with exposed metal and none of them have this problem while using a two prong plug. Why should my $2000 apple? It's crazy! And then they'll tell you that YOU are using the WRONG plug. What am I supposed to say - "Gee sorry I bought it from you and used it on your machine, Apple"?

And to all those who are saying it's no problem, I hope you enjoy your daily shock treatments.