How to I keep static electricity out?
 

Excuse me, how DO I keep static electricity out?

With my last laptop, I had static electricity build-up problems. It ended up shorting out my motherboard a few times via the touchpad and speakers. I just moved to a much drier region than I was in previously, and I can feel the static electricity when I touch my laptop sometimes and it scares me, I don't want it to cause any damage. How can I get rid of it? Dryer sheets on the keyboard, an indian rain dance? Give me some ideas!

I dunno, but isn't the static electricity coming from YOU (and jumping into the laptop, hence jolting it into submission?)

Is your laptop a Toshiba, by any chance?

There's a Yahoo Answer entry regarding your problem. Alternatively, you can, of course, discharge yourself by touching a metal object before your laptop.

The electricity is coming from me, but I'm sure it builds some up on its own. Discharging myself is a good idea, I'll start doing that. The laptop I had problems with was a Toshiba, this one is not.

If electrostatic builds up without anyone putting work into it you have a perpetuum mobile (link)