Jimmy,
Great post! Mind if I use this language? Been looking and working on this type of language for some time. Thanks!
Sorry to interrupt
The 2-prong laptop cord feeds a transformer. A low voltage secondary winding supplies power to the laptop. No direct connection to wall circuit. The guru knows this, but got distracted.
The general reason for grounding electronics is to carry off static charges which can wipe out sensitive computer chips. Although I believe they are making them more robust now than they were even 10 years ago.
Now back to…
Paul…Why in the world would you get a brownie for anything said in this thread??? At the risk of recieving one myself…geeeeezze!!
Dennis: Feel free to use that comment. Some might argue that, since lots of homes of that era, if not most, have lighting/receptacle circuitry, tripping of the GFCI would put the lights out, too. I don’t see this as much of a problem. I know the realtors like that comment better than “old wiring. need new. call sparky.” The comment is explanatory, and doesn’t unnecessarily alarm potential buyers. They are informed, and know they have viable options, among which is to simply leave it alone. Now, loose, worn out receptacles is another issue…
Well, several days later I check, and sure enough, I got a brownie. Or a reddie. Or something. Oh, well.
I believe the three prong outlets were installed because plenty of things you buy have a three prong plug making it necessary to have a three prong receptacle.
One or more open ground, three-pronged electric receptacles were found. This is a safety hazard due to the risk of shock. A qualified electrician should evaluate and make repairs as necessary. For example, replacing receptacles or correcting wiring circuits.
Grounding type receptacles began being required in residential structures during the 1960s. Based on the age of this structure and the presence of 2-pronged receptacles in some areas of this structure, an acceptable repair may be to simply replace the ungrounded 3-pronged receptacles with 2-pronged receptacles. However the following appliances require grounding type receptacles:
Computer hardware
Refrigerators
Freezers
Air conditioners
Clothes washers
Clothes dryers
Dishwashers
Kitchen food waste disposers
Information technology equipment
Sump pumps
Electrical aquarium equipment
Hand-held motor-operated tools
Stationary and fixed motor-operated tools
Light industrial motor-operated tools
Hedge clippers
Lawn mowers
This list is not exhaustive. Grounded circuits and receptacles should be installed in locations where such appliances will be used.
Mark,
Dan’s type of disclaimer gives inspectors more protection. Since the electrician is coming out anyway a brief look around doesn’t hurt. Most electricians I’ve had out for a specific problem perform a mini-inspection of their own which to be honest makes me feel a whole lot better. 
There is an older type of romex that was manufactured with only two conductors, no ground. By code, you cannot install a three prong receptacle on a circuit that does not contain a ground. In a bathroom, a ground wire may be connected to a water pipe. As mentioned, a correctly labeled GFCI will also work.
John Evans
Oh, my! Almost every word of what you’ve stated is profoundly untrue. You can install a 3-prong receptacle on the end of an existing ungrounded cable if it is GFCI protected. You CANNOT use the water pipe as the equipment ground in the US, but it is still legal in Canada.
Nothing, but around here they cost $4 to $5 each. :shock:
We can inspect and describe. We cannot ascribe motives for what we find.
Best to keep that in mind.