Ha! Apparently, I don't know my own strength! Last night, I went to unplug the computer from the wall socket. When I pulled out the plug, it came off the socket, BUT, it left one of the prongs (the larger, 3rd prong) IN PLACE IN THE SOCKET! Oops! My first thought was to grab my pliers (they have insulated handles, I think) and pull it off, but my second thought was, that might not be such a good idea! I didn't want to go outside to turn off the fuses, and so forth at past 2:00 a.m. and I didn't want to electrocute myself, accidentally! So, I left the prong in place and went to sleep. This evening, I will ask my neighbor across the street if he can attend to it for me.
So now, I need to go to the electronics store and buy a new cord and plug for my computer! As my daughter says, I don't have a lot of luck with computers! In the meantime, I've broken the rules and logged on from the office during my lunch break. I might do a short post when I get home, or I might not. I need to save whatever charge I have left on the computer at home, until I get a new cord for it, tomorrow, or over the weekend (so I can video chat with daughter - they'll have to be short video chats, too! Maybe just to say goodnight.)
In the meantime, I hope you are all having a lovely day. Take care!
You might not see this in time, but if it's a laptop, bring the broken charger cable with you to the store so you buy the proper one. Not all laptops accept the same chargers. Also, you probably would have much better luck looking up a charger for your computer model on Amazon and ordering it from there. I don't know that electronic stores keep a whole bunch of those in stock, but I might be wrong. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Nathalie. I shall take it all with me to the store. :) Might also take my other laptop that started to smoke and see if they have a cord for that, too.
DeleteHugs! Please be careful with the the plug. The pull might have loosened or removed protection. You don't seem to be having luck at all! hugs x
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lyssa. By the way, I still don't know if I should say Lyssa or Sybil! I have yet to go to the store to get a new cord, but my neighbor pulled out the piece that was stuck in the outlet and said I could continue to use the plug, as it is, with only 2 prongs, as the part that came off is the "grounder". So, I feel better about things!
DeleteOh goodness Bless. I hope you are able to get a new cord today!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Debbie. I shall be going to the store later, today. I was told by my neighbor that I can still use the cord, as it is, with just the 2 prongs (without the grounder), but I do know what the grounder is supposed to do (protect the user from electric shocks), so I will get a new cord.
DeleteBless, it's perfectly safe to use a chord without a grounder for a laptop. You only need a grounder for machines / appliances with a metal surface and even that only if a lot of things have gone wrong already. The grounder prong may not have been attached to anything. No need to rush to the next store.
DeleteJazz (the technician who still hasn't installed her bathroom light fixture that does need a grounder :D )
Thank you for confirming that, Jazz! I feel much relieved!
DeleteI think you were very wise to leave the prong in place and ask your neighbour to help. I hope you get it dealt with quickly. X
ReplyDeleteJules, apparently I was more cautious than I needed to be! He just pulled it out with his bare hands without turning off the electricity or anything! LOL. I felt a bit foolish, but, such is life! I don't know anything about electrical stuff!
DeleteBless, I am soooo sorry. I thought these things , only happened to me.. Proud you waited on removing the prong.. [and let your neighbor help you.. smile]
ReplyDeleteI laughed at your daughter saying, " you dont have much luck with computers".. My daughter will come over and when I tell her this or that is wrong with my computer.. She replies, "Mama, a computer is dangerous in your hands.. you tear it up , just looking at it.lol" Then she sweetly fixes it for me.smile
Hope you get your new cord soon.
Thanks, Judy. Yes, neighbor came and took care of it for me! I felt a bit foolish because he just pulled it out without any precautions, like turning off the power, etc., but I didn't know if it was safe to do that or not! He told me I could still use the plug with just the 2 prongs - apparently it was the grounder that came off. But I will definitely go to the store and see if I can get a new cord, as well, just to be safe.
DeleteI imagine that was quite a surprise! Sounds as if you may do as I used to and just tug the cord to unplug, rather than grabbing the actual plug and pulling. Our office's IT tech was quick to inservice me years ago on the correct procedure for unplugging. LOL
ReplyDeleteCarolyn, it was quite a surprise! It's the first time I've had a prong come off a plug! And no, I didn't try to unplug by pulling on the cord; I do know better than that! LOL.
Delete