PC Unresponsive after Static Shock

[jbwar22]

Ok. So a while back (late October I think) I built this computer. Not too long after that I began to see a problem. It seemed to be that if I shocked the computer, it would become unresponsive. The monitors would shut off, and the last half-second of audio would repeat (I was using the rear audio at the time). This happened every time I shocked the computer. Im not sure if the computer was actually running in the background, because the fans still went and my hue+ still had its lights on, but even if I let is sit for a while it would not recover. I tried reconnecting the monitor cables while it was like this but that didn't work.

 

Now comes the bad part. I tried to move my headphones from off my desk so I could work, but I shocked them. Computer became unresponsive as usual. I rebooted the computer, and when I got to windows, I noticed that the audio had stopped working. I checked my drivers and they were all fine. I ran troubleshooting and it didn't see anything wrong Realtek software still works, and it even recognizes when I replug in my headphones in the back. Also, in the playback devices settings, the green audio bars show up when I play some audio. another weird thing is if I plug in my headphones at a weird angle part way, I get some really distorted computer audio in return. Im pretty sure I blew out my onboard sound. I bought a sound card to replace it, but I have blown that too in the same way.

 

After this, I found that one of the cpu power cords was not plugged in all the way. I replugged it, but that did not solve my issue. 

 

Recently, I shocked something on my desk (my lamp which is 2 prong) and my computer went unresponsive. The lamp and the computer are plugged in to the same power strip, but that is the only way they are connected. I am not 100% sure the lamp is what caused the computer to go out, because the monitors were off anyway, and I was going to wake it. There is a possibility that it was shocked earlier and I didnt notice. But, when I went to boot it up again, some weird stuff happened. The bios screen took way longer than usual (like 30 seconds compared to 3) and then when my computer booted (to debian boot menu which I select windows from usually) it froze up. I rebooted the machine and went to bios (but it took 30 seconds of holding DEL) once there, I observed that the computer would run for about 5 seconds, then freeze completely, not letting me move the mouse or see onscreen animations. Then after like 10 seconds I would be able to move again, and the cycle would repeat. I am sure this is the reason the bios screen took so long. I shut down the computer, and unplugged it, waited a couple seconds, and plugged it in and rebooted. same issue. I shut down and unplugged and left it to sit all day

 

I came back today and it seems to be working fine. Now I am scared to shock anything on my desk at all.

 

Before you ask anything, here are things you should know

List: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/cpwjqk
My outlet is grounded. I have a tester and I tested it.
My power strip is grounded.
Its a custom built desktop computer
I have not rebuilt my computer.
Im pretty sure the standoffs are OK
My power supply cord is a little wiggly, but I force it in as far as it goes to make sure its OK
The shock to my computer can come from anywhere connected to it. I have had these happen:
    My mic
    My case
    My monitor
    My audio jack
    My lamp*
    An ethernet cord plugged into a switch plugged into an ethernet cord plugged into my computer
    

Does anyone have any ideas what is wrong with my computer? My guess is that I have a faulty power supply.

[bgibbz]

This sounds more like faulty house wiring. The power supply is grounded, and therefore the computer should also be grounded. 

[jools]

shocks are bad , check ground and psu,,,,,a normal lamp switch may cause arcing... get a  surge protected adapter and plug only pc in

[bgibbz]

Just now, jools said:

shocks are bad , check ground and psu,,,,,a normal lamp switch may cause arcing... get a  surge protected adapter and plug only pc in

This still wouldn't solve the issue of a non grounded outlet. 

[jools]

yes its an earthing issue or lack of good earth(grounding). so either short to earth or no earth

[jools]

change psu most likely culprit

[jbwar22]

25 minutes ago, bgibbz said:

This sounds more like faulty house wiring. The power supply is grounded, and therefore the computer should also be grounded. 

The outlet is grounded

[Doramius]

The outlet may have a grounding point, but something sounds faulty whether on the computer or not.  Usually, the best way to determine this is with an isolated power supply.  Most people don't normally have this, but the next best thing is a Battery Back-up UPS.  Uninterruptible Power Supplies are usually isolated.  If you still are shocked with the computer plugged in to the battery back-up, then the issue is tied to the computer itself, and most likely the PSU.  If it fixes the issue for the computer.....call an electrician.

 

In the end, you'll have a UPS for your computer.   Or borrow a friend's UPS for a little while to test.

[0x1e]

TBH I think this is faulty house wiring.

Yes, you can get a better PSU, a UPS and a surge protector but that will only protect you from outside shocks, like from the lamp.

However shocks that are internal, you physically touching the computer and shocking it, will have no where to go and you'll get the same results.

Either you have to wire your house properly or find a way to put in a spark gap somewhere in your computer to allow the shock to dissipate safely.

 

BTW, how are you shocking your computer so often? Are you dragging your feet across the floor and building up static?

[bgibbz]

35 minutes ago, jbwar22 said:

The outlet is grounded

A ground prong doesn't necessarily mean a grounded outlet. Ussually aluminum conduit going from the gang box to the breaker box grounds the outlet, but I have seen wiring where pvc conduit is used without a grounding wire. Not that this is necessarily the case, but it really sounds like something is fairly in the wiring. 

[jbwar22]

1 hour ago, bgibbz said:

A ground prong doesn't necessarily mean a grounded outlet. Ussually aluminum conduit going from the gang box to the breaker box grounds the outlet, but I have seen wiring where pvc conduit is used without a grounding wire. Not that this is necessarily the case, but it really sounds like something is fairly in the wiring. 

yes i know, but I have an outlet ground checker. both yellow lights light up. thats what it should be.

[jbwar22]

1 hour ago, Doramius said:

The outlet may have a grounding point, but something sounds faulty whether on the computer or not.  Usually, the best way to determine this is with an isolated power supply.  Most people don't normally have this, but the next best thing is a Battery Back-up UPS.  Uninterruptible Power Supplies are usually isolated.  If you still are shocked with the computer plugged in to the battery back-up, then the issue is tied to the computer itself, and most likely the PSU.  If it fixes the issue for the computer.....call an electrician.

 

In the end, you'll have a UPS for your computer.   Or borrow a friend's UPS for a little while to test.

I have a friend who will get one soon, will 100% borrow and test. thanks for the reply

[Doramius]

1 hour ago, jbwar22 said:

I have a friend who will get one soon, will 100% borrow and test. thanks for the reply

SOunds great.  Something for sure isn't grounding properly, and testing your setup with a UPS will at least let you know "where" the issue is.  Let us know what you found out.