HDMI causes power off

[strawberry]

Odd one, and i'm struggling to get any real data from the teacher.

 

Dell laptop occasionally powers off when the hdmi cable touches the hdmi port. doesn't happen all the time, some rooms it doesn't happen at all, some rooms it happens occasionally. Last time it happened i assumed it was a hardware glitch but the original laptop has been in use without problem and the new issue laptop has developed the same fault. The power off is instant, screen goes black and the laptop doesn't restart until the power button is pressed.

 

I'm slightly puzzled.

[Andrew_C]

At a first guess - is there a voltage present between the earth of the laptop, and the earth of the socket?

[TechMonkey]

Are they holding or pressing the power button when they grip the laptop to push the HDMI in?

[strawberry]

Are they holding or pressing the power button when they grip the laptop to push the HDMI in?

They are not, opposite side of the laptop.

 

At a first guess - is there a voltage present between the earth of the laptop, and the earth of the socket?

Not sure, but oddly this is only happening for one person and has followed the user across laptops ( first laptop was reissued and not shown the same errors)

 

I did suspect it was physical damage too.

 

Thanks for the suggestions so far

[nwkeene]

As @Andrew_C says... it sounds like a 'floating earth' type of problem... does it happen whilst the laptop is plugged into its charger? what happens if the charger is unplugged from the laptop (this should be OK). As it happens in multiple rooms, assuming the same laptop and charger, i'd suspect the charger / laptop combo. Is it possible to try a different charger?

 

To rule out a laptop hardware issue, try plugging a hdmi lead (with the other end disconnected) into the laptop, if it still does it, looks like a fault in the HDMI socket on the laptop.

 

As its the same person... could be a static issue? if somebody else plugs in the lead is it ok?

 

My 2p

Edited May 6, 2021 by nwkeene
added info about static

[strawberry]

As @Andrew_C says... it sounds like a 'floating earth' type of problem... does it happen whilst the laptop is plugged into its charger? what happens if the charger is unplugged from the laptop (this should be OK). As it happens in multiple rooms, assuming the same laptop and charger, i'd suspect the charger / laptop combo. Is it possible to try a different charger?

 

To rule out a laptop hardware issue, try plugging a hdmi lead (with the other end disconnected) into the laptop, if it still does it, looks like a fault in the HDMI socket on the laptop.

 

My 2p

 

Good stuff. I've asked the user to try and create a consistent and then use the power cable ( incase it's power settings). Will follow up on that.

 

Has happened to the user with two different combos, original combo was given to someone else who's never noticed the problem. Second combo apparently worked fine for a few weeks ( Pinch of salt)

[TechMonkey]

Has happened to the user with two different combos, original combo was given to someone else who's never noticed the problem. Second combo apparently worked fine for a few weeks ( Pinch of salt)

 

This is what makes me think they are doing something non-obvious without realising. Have you watched what they do carefully?

[bald_pig]

Is it powering off or just going to sleep?

 

Do they have a magnetic bracelet that's going over the lid sensor?

[thimon]

Do they have a magnetic bracelet that's going over the lid sensor?

I used to have a smart watch with a magnetic strap that did this. Quickly got rid of that!

[pete]

If they touch a radiator / heating pipe beforehand does it still happen?

 

We had a memorable user who built up an unreasonable amount of static charge throughout the day sufficent to cause strange behaviour in anything more complex than a toaster.

[strawberry]

Watched them like a hawk, definitely no errant fingers.

Only a fitbit, have tried offering it up separately and it doesn't cause the issue. It totally powers off when it does happen.

 

Hmm, curious, i'll give that a go. She does wear multiple layers!.

[Andrew_C]

She does wear multiple layers!.

of nylon? That'll do it...