External HDD electric shock

[SlingshotSeven]

My 4TB Seagate external (2.5 Inch model - USB3) suddenly disconnected itself and gave me a electrical shock when I tried to touch it. Suspect the main USB port. Switched USB port and the problem didn't reappear ATM... Seatools Long Generic scan after 14 hours turned out ok.

Question:
1. Is there any chance of data corruption? Should I copy the files elsewhere?
2. Is there any chance of HW damage caused by USB overload?

[mr_spokk]

Regardless of electric shock or not, you shall have a copy of your files in two places.

[data-medics]

Should I copy the files elsewhere?

Absolutely always, even on a perfectly good, brand new HDD. The fact that it's a Seagate means you're running on borrowed time already.

[LarrySabo]

I would suggest checking your household wiring, to be sure the ground lead is in fact at ground voltage. Check the computer chassis voltage against a known-good ground.

[fzabkar]

As Larry says, the problem sounds like a disconnected ground.

See this circuit of a typical ATX PSU:
http://www.pavouk.org/hw/atxps.png

If you disconnect the SHIELD wire (at top left corner) from house ground, then the case of the PC will sit at a potential that is half the AC supply due to capacitors C2 and C3. These capacitors have a high impedance, so they will give you a tingle but not a severe shock.

[SlingshotSeven]

Should I copy the files elsewhere?

Absolutely always, even on a perfectly good, brand new HDD. The fact that it's a Seagate means you're running on borrowed time already.

Any suggestion for a good 2.5" external HDD? One without the USB board soldered (and locked by AES) to HDD please. I'm still salty against WD for that.

[LarrySabo]

Buy a WD Black drive and put it in an enclosure with USB 3.0. It will have a USB-SATA bridge board but at least the data won't be encrypted, and you can just remove the drive and connect via SATA if need be. You can also buy external enclosures that connect via USb or eSATA, which would be ideal.

[Amarbir[CDR-Labs]]

Well ,
I shock is only due to 2 factors .

1 : You were statically charged and you touched the hdd and you got discharged hence the shock
2 : Your earth wire in your house wiring is not ok and if its ok you are using only 2 pin electrical connections to main computer

PS : nothing to do with USB IMHO

[SlingshotSeven]

Well ,
I shock is only due to 2 factors .

1 : You were statically charged and you touched the hdd and you got discharged hence the shock
2 : Your earth wire in your house wiring is not ok and if its ok you are using only 2 pin electrical connections to main computer

PS : nothing to do with USB IMHO

That's a relief - I was already planning to disassemble it. So I guess I can rule out USB/Motherboard malfunction?

Also yes, the electrical plugs in my country are 2-pin only. PC plugged into an APC UPS but with a 3-to-2-pin adaptor.

[Amarbir[CDR-Labs]]

Well ,
I shock is only due to 2 factors .

1 : You were statically charged and you touched the hdd and you got discharged hence the shock
2 : Your earth wire in your house wiring is not ok and if its ok you are using only 2 pin electrical connections to main computer

PS : nothing to do with USB IMHO

That's a relief - I was already planning to disassemble it. So I guess I can rule out USB/Motherboard malfunction?

Also yes, the electrical plugs in my country are 2-pin only. PC plugged into an APC UPS but with a 3-to-2-pin adaptor.

Dude ,
Post some real pictures of your setup ,we will help you get this current stuff out of your mind

[fzabkar]

Also yes, the electrical plugs in my country are 2-pin only. PC plugged into an APC UPS but with a 3-to-2-pin adaptor.

Do as Larry suggests -- measure the voltage on the computer's metal case with respect to your building ground. I'm betting that you will find 115VAC.