<div class="gmail_quote"><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;"><div><div class="h5">
</div></div>The fact that this happened jus after he added the tuner card makes me suspect<br>
it is indeed a problem with the cable TV ground vs. the AC power ground.<br>
<br>
I'd try measuring the voltage between the CATV shield and the AC ground, if it<br>
is more than a fraction of a volt I'd investigate further.<br>
<br>
It may have been, as the OP alluded to, a static shock. These can build to<br>
very high potentials and are a common cause of problems, but the power switch<br>
really should be insulated from anything in the case, as was pointed out they<br>
are usually just plastic plunger that presses on a microswitch or similar<br>
device.<br>
<br>
I'd also make sure the power cord is properly grounded and not fed by any sort<br>
of a "cheater" device or improper adapter, and that the polarity of the<br>
outlet feeding the machine is correct (The larger blade is the neutral, the<br>
smaller one is "hot", and there should be no significant potential between<br>
neutral and ground. This assumes the OP is in the USA or a country with<br>
similar standards.<br>
</blockquote><div><br>FYI. OP is in the US. There are no "cheater devices" in the works, just a common surge protector/power strip. I've done extensive work on my electrical system in the house, and everything seems to be grounded (though I haven't worked on this particular outlet, which could have unknown issues to me). <br>
<br>I am also an Engineer (though the kind that drives CAD software, not Locomotives, and designs machines, rather than operate them) <br><br>-Josh<br></div></div><br>