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Static discharge from user reboots a PC

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by bbd_itadmin

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We have one PC that when I touche the screen, the mouse, printer cable, etc., I get a static shock and the machine REBOOTS.

I get static charges from other machines, although not as severly as with the machine in question. The shocks from this machine actually cause pain that has lasted for several hours.

As I provide software support to our users I need to touch the machine from time to time while it is running to help users through their questions.

I have found that if I sit in a chair with wheels, roll up to this PC, then touch it, I am safe to touch it without fear of causing a reboot.

Has ANYONE ever heard of this before? It only happens on this one machine. I can get a shock from the others, but none of the reboot.

Thank you in advance to everyone who responds to this ODD question. If anything, hopefully it is a light spot in your day.

Regards
Dennis Parr
IT Manager
Better By Design

5 replies

by ann777

It does not sound as if your computer is properly grounded.

If I were you, I'd take the computer and look for the grounding cable on the power switch to be connected to part of the metal case. If it is loose or not connected at all, then it can cause the problems you describe. If it is not loose, then I'd look at replacing that power supply and seeing if that helps.

It's possible to also purchase anti-static mats that you can place under the computer or on the desktop.

by opatzg9

Anna's pretty well hit it on the head, There's a grounding problem here which needs rectifying. If the PC is on a metal desk your probably dissipating the charge if your body comes in contact with the desk. When I first started programming with PC's in1985 my cohort and I used to be able to lock each others pcs up with static charges simply by touching our own desk and transferring the static to the desk it was backed up to. Static is not your pc's friend. Check around the desk for other possible sources of porr grounding as well.
good luck

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