I'm as shocked as you are that this happened, but I know you'll power through this.

The laptop can only operate on converted, low voltage DC power which is what comes out of the adapter.

Whether the plug is half in the socket or soaking in rainwater really shouldn't matter as the A/C 120 doesn't directly "go into" the laptop in any way.

Ugh. You are not dead, therefore you were not electrocuted. One of my pet peeves.

@3, not the first time a comment to Brendan has begun with "Ugh. You are not dead," but among the best.

Impossible. City Light's electricity gives at most a tingle that some describe as erotic.

@2 You are correct, the entire laptop runs internally on a 12V electrical system. However, the fluorescent tube backlight runs off an inverter that steps up the voltage to a potentially shock-inducing magnitude. The way you describe it as being audible makes me suspect static discharge, as it takes many thousands of volts to create an arc that is audible.

well, i just watched final destination 5, so i can only assume that you have somehow cheated death.

and death HATES being cheated.

An electric shock strong enough to convulse your muscles is strong enough to harm you. I'd recommend a doctor's visit. It was at work, and presumably a work-provided computer, so it will be worker's comp and a workplace injury write up for L&l.

Would this be the same Erin who was pranked earlier today?

Just asking.

I've been shocked from my powerbook's power cord plug when inserting it. After inspecting it I had found the plug's metal stripped and exposed wires/things were visible. I'm sure that's not your problem.

@1 Oh come on!! some golf claps for @1 please!

The real question is: What has it been waiting for?

Um is this tech-savvy Erin the same Erin that was pranked earlier today? Cause...you know...maybe she rigged something ...payback???

If your laptop still works, then it was possible either the backlight power source as @6 said, or it was not the laptop itself at all. Maybe the power adapter wire is frayed or worn through and shocked you through your desk?

Are you sure the force of the shock is what sent you rolling back, or the instinctive recoiling of being surprised at something?

A properly grounded laptop should not pass electrical shocks on to you, whether they're from the mains or the laptop's backlight inverter. Check the outlet and power strip for faulty wiring (e.g., no ground, faulty ground, faulty neutral, hot-neutral reversal), using an outlet tester or multimeter. Check if your laptop's power brick is performing up to spec using a multimeter. If the outlet, power strip, and power brick are all up to snuff, the problem is in your laptop. Google the brand and model number for reports of electrical shocks, like this one here:

Dell Inspiron 15R gives electric shocks - Super User
http://superuser.com/questions/421017/de…

and go from there.

If the shock was that strong, I wouldn't continue using that particular laptop until the problem has been diagnosed and fixed.

to be honest, it was probably all of the above. You're doomed.

Since none of us go outside anymore, God has to get creative about smiting.

For starters, there's no such thing as battery static. Batteries shorting out and catching fire, yes; enormous high-voltage shocks, no. The dinky fluourescent backlight tube, may or may not even exist in your computer. Many flat panels are now using LEDs for the purpose, instead. Even if it's there, it's pretty impossible for it to shock you without burning out something in the computer, like the little high-voltage inverter, which might put out a watt or two, tops.

Were there any bad smells accompanying this little lightning bolt of yours? Fried hair, burning electrical stuff (phenolics)? If not, you're kind of left with plain old static discharge, like from wearing a polyester shirt squirming around in a dacron-upholstered chair on a carpeted floor with rubber underlayment in a dehumidified office.

Either that, or... has anyone in the office purchased a stun gun lately?

I just want to know what happens when you put a laptop in the dryer with fabric softener. Does it get all soft and fluffy like in the ads with the creepy teddy bear?

A crack and no burns? Definitely high voltage/low amperage discharge. Nothing more than tingling? What'd be cool is if you could make it happen on que, or to unsuspecting victims! Keep up your research.

The thing is, no current should even flow to the ground wire unless something is broken. Plug it into an outlet with one of these (in a bathroom, most likely) and see if the outlet trips: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GFCI

You were not electrocuted, damn it, because you are still alive. You were shocked. Get it right.

@8 Haven't you seen the pics from their office? A little electrical shock is the LEAST of the dangers their office presents. They don't want to involve L&I; they'd be fined out of existence.

Better to keep mum until the whole building collapses on itself poltergeist-style.

Admit it, Brendan. You said the name of The Scottish Play out loud.

No option referring to the accumulated filth that we all know exists on the gear of Stranger staffers?