[germainebull]

A friend of mine says that her laptop keypad is occasionally becoming 'live'; electric current is flowing to the keypad. Thus, her fingers are being 'shocked' by the current from time to time.
She wants your advice on what is causing this phenomenon and how to address it.

[earthsalt]

Your friend's laptop could be having issues relating to the internal circuitry. Kindly advise her to seek the services of a technician.

[sprite1950]

Well I don't know a lot about these things but I wouldn't use it if it's giving her shocks. I think she should get it looked at as it sounds dangerous .. athough sometimes the human body seems to react to touching metallic surfaces and giving us shocks. I sometimes get shocks off supermarket trollies or other metal objects.

[earthsalt]

Well I don't know a lot about these things but I wouldn't use it if it's giving her shocks. I think she should get it looked at as it sounds dangerous .. athough sometimes the human body seems to react to touching metallic surfaces and giving us shocks. I sometimes get shocks off supermarket trollies or other metal objects.

This phenomenon could be witnessed because our bodies have certain electric charges, although in hugely diminutive amounts.
My question; do you think the live keypad phenomenon is harmless?

[raaman]

The best and the right course of action would be to immediately call a computer mechanic or a computer technician to solve the problem.

[earthsalt]

The best and the right course of action would be to immediately call a computer mechanic or a computer technician to solve the problem.

I second your opinion. It is better to be safe than sorry. Electronic gadgets can be hugely dangerous at times.

[germainebull]

Well I don't know a lot about these things but I wouldn't use it if it's giving her shocks. I think she should get it looked at as it sounds dangerous .. athough sometimes the human body seems to react to touching metallic surfaces and giving us shocks. I sometimes get shocks off supermarket trollies or other metal objects.

This phenomenon could be witnessed because our bodies have certain electric charges, although in hugely diminutive amounts.
My question; do you think the live keypad phenomenon is harmless?

I highly doubt such live keypad is harmless. I mean, after this phenomenon, what else? A bit scary.

[earthsalt]

I highly doubt such live keypad is harmless. I mean, after this phenomenon, what else? A bit scary.

Please take note that nothing is completely harmless. Even otherwise harmless entities such as your common cell phone have certain disadvantages.We live in a world ruled by relativity.

[germainebull]

I wouldn't use it if it's giving her shocks.

That is the most commonsense approach to adopt regarding this unexplained shocks from a laptop keypad. I am sure OP's friend has already put the contentious laptop aside for thorough inspection.

[earthsalt]

I wouldn't use it if it's giving her shocks.

That is the most commonsense approach to adopt regarding this unexplained shocks from a laptop keypad. I am sure OP's friend has already put the contentious laptop aside for thorough inspection.

A nice piece of advice. However, take note that most users here are scavenging for bits of dollars online. Asking someone to halt usage of his/her laptop woulds be thus suicidal.

[germainebull]

A nice piece of advice. However, take note that most users here are scavenging for bits of dollars online. Asking someone to halt usage of his/her laptop woulds be thus suicidal.

I agree. Most of us cannot afford the luxury of being off our computers, even for a day. But, I don't think it is as bad as you put it.

[jonjenkins]

If the computer/keyboard is made of metal, then an electric shock could be possible, and would be the result of faulty wiring and/or a faulty component. This would need the attention of an experienced technician.

If the keyboard and surrounding area are plastic, then it can only be static electricity, which is uncomfortable, but not dangerous.

[earthsalt]

If the computer/keyboard is made of metal, then an electric shock could be possible, and would be the result of faulty wiring and/or a faulty component. This would need the attention of an experienced technician.

If the keyboard and surrounding area are plastic, then it can only be static electricity, which is uncomfortable, but not dangerous.

Useful information. I don't think we have many laptops with metallic touch pads. I thus think OP's friend should not be overly worried.

[germainebull]

If the keyboard and surrounding area are plastic, then it can only be static electricity, which is uncomfortable, but not dangerous.

Just as sprite1950 has stated. It is refreshing to hear this news. My friend's touch pad is plastic. I should relay this good news to her asap.

[earthsalt]

If the keyboard and surrounding area are plastic, then it can only be static electricity, which is uncomfortable, but not dangerous.

Just as sprite1950 has stated. It is refreshing to hear this news. My friend's touch pad is plastic. I should relay this good news to her asap.

This bit of information will surely cause this friend to be reassured. Having bought the laptop in question only recently, I don't think she wants to make another expense.