On 1/4/2013 10:04 AM, Smith, Craig A (MN14) wrote: >> my 9yo daughter looks shocked and says the computer buzzed her. i touch what she touched, floor grate and computer chassis, and buzzo. so perhaps improper grounding might be a factor in mobo deaths? > > Many years ago, I got a shock from the metal chassis of my dad's reel-to-reel tape deck. He said "unplug and plug it in the other way" (this was before the days polarized plugs). I tried this and it worked! > > The explanation was that there was a high-impedance short between the power transformer and the chassis. Plugging it in the other way moved the short closer to neutral (grounded at the fuse-box and the utility pole). > > Assuming you have a polarized plug, you might check your outlet. You can buy a 3-led tester at the hardware store for less than $5. > > If you're using a UPS, then that may be at fault. I assumed (shame on me) that by "tripp lite" that mentioned in his next email was a tester of some sort... but I would think that along your thought line there that testing on another outlet would work just as well? Extensions suck but I would recommend that everyone have at least one heavy duty extension cord in their homes of 25-50 feet in length. They are worth every penny (I have four - but two are in my car for my day job).