VisorCentral.com - Inserting my Edge into the cradle kills my computer!

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-- Inserting my Edge into the cradle kills my computer! (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/showthread.php?threadid=24623)

Posted by a1291762 on 07-08-2002 07:55 AM:

Inserting my Edge into the cradle kills my computer!

I have a PC at work (Dell Optiplex GX200) running W2K. I am using the USB cradle and power pack that came with my Edge (Australian, 240v AC -> 6v 2000mA).

Twice now, I have inserted my Edge into the cradle only to have my whole PC restart! It is instant, and destructive. I have to unplug the PC and monitor from the wall for a while before the system will work again. I haven't noticed any side effects on either the PC or the Visor.

Has anybody else noticed this? Is it Edge specific (possibly due to the metal case)? Would not using the power pack help? Could it be static electricity that's built up on me?

Thanks
Link

Posted by Toby on 07-08-2002 12:17 PM:

Re: Inserting my Edge into the cradle kills my computer!

quote:
Originally posted by a1291762
I have a PC at work (Dell Optiplex GX200) running W2K. I am using the USB cradle and power pack that came with my Edge (Australian, 240v AC -> 6v 2000mA).

Twice now, I have inserted my Edge into the cradle only to have my whole PC restart! It is instant, and destructive. I have to unplug the PC and monitor from the wall for a while before the system will work again. I haven't noticed any side effects on either the PC or the Visor.

Has anybody else noticed this? Is it Edge specific (possibly due to the metal case)? Would not using the power pack help? Could it be static electricity that's built up on me?

The problem is almost definitely static electricity related. Dell doesn't seem to have designed their system very well to cope with it, though, evidently. The easiest way around it might be to get some sort of anti-static pad which you can touch to discharge things before you pop the Edge in the cradle.

Posted by Schrader on 07-08-2002 04:30 PM:

it might be cheaper to try it without the powerpack first, then do what toby said

Posted by a1291762 on 07-08-2002 11:49 PM:

Hmm... According to Handspring, my computer isn't grounded properly. Stupid Dell!

http://support.handspring.com/esupp...esType=RESEARCH

Posted by tantousha on 07-09-2002 12:06 AM:

I read on another message board about this happening to somebody with their m500...except it completely fried their computer, as in never working again. His explanation was that static built up on him while he walk across carpet and simply discharged through the metal case of the m500 onto the contacts in back through the USB connection into his computer. A simple fix he said was to touch the computer's case before you touch the cradle, or to buy a USB hub (powered) because those can often take those static charges and send them out through the power plug, thus saving your computer.
Alex.

Posted by Toby on 07-09-2002 02:24 AM:

quote:
Originally posted by tantousha
I read on another message board about this happening to somebody with their m500...except it completely fried their computer, as in never working again.

That design is evidently even worse than Dell's.

quote:
His explanation was that static built up on him while he walk across carpet and simply discharged through the metal case of the m500 onto the contacts in back through the USB connection into his computer.

Yep. That's what I was trying to get across.

quote:
A simple fix he said was to touch the computer's case before you touch the cradle, or to buy a USB hub (powered) because those can often take those static charges and send them out through the power plug, thus saving your computer.

The problem with the former is that Dell doesn't have much of any exposed metal on their cases usually (the closest spot would be on the back of the system). The problem with the latter is that not all powered USB hubs have grounded plugs. That's why I recommended a good anti-static pad.

Posted by tantousha on 07-09-2002 02:51 AM:

Hmmm...maybe a PDA with a steel casing isn't such a good idea...
Alex.

Posted by Toby on 07-09-2002 02:56 AM:

quote:
Originally posted by tantousha
Hmmm...maybe a PDA with a steel casing isn't such a good idea...

Actually, it's a very good idea because of durability. It's just an issue that you have to design around. It just seems that there are lots of lazy engineers out there (or poor ones).

Posted by edgenut on 07-09-2002 05:01 AM:

metel casing is great

An advantage of metel casing is when you use your visor edge with a visorphone the aluminium blocks radiation!

Edge nut
P.S. Vegimite tastes good

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