Expert: Rider - 12/31/2007

Question
I get static electricity buildup in my HP computer to the point where the wireless mouse and keyboard will not work.My wife has to unplug the computer and push the power button to bleed off the static electricity.This has happened twice in the last month.Is there some way to ground the computer?

Answer
Your computer should be grounded through the power cord. Is it setting on the floor? Is the floor coverd with carpet?

To keep it from collecting static electricy from the floor you need to insulate it. Put something non conductive between it and the surface it is setting on. A good quality card board will do it, a peice of wood would work also, stay away from plastic and metal.

Another thing you could do is make a 'grounding strap' a peice of #12 or #14 gauge wire long enough to reach to the wall socket. Strip both ends, loosen a screw on the case of the computer and put the wire behind it, tighten it. On the electical socket loosen the cover screw, put the wire behind it, tighten the screw. If you have any wire 'eyelets' crimping them on would be better than twisting the wire then putting it behind the screw.

Static electricity problmes are always the hardest because it is hard to determine what is causing it, the floor, the surondings, or the human operator.

HTH