Tim Gaden15 August 2006, 11:21 AM
Dell today announced the recall of 4.1 million batteries after several widely publicised battery bonfires. The recall makes it clear that these stories are more than isolated incidents.
Dell today announced the recall of 4.1 million batteries in a wide range of its laptops.
Recently several reports of "exploding" Dell laptops have gained substantial coverage on the Internet. A Japanese conference was treated to an impromptu bonfire.
In another incident, an exploding Dell ignited two boxes of ammunition in the back of a ute as two American backwoodsmen ran for their lives.
The recall makes it clear that these stories are more than isolated incidents. In a statement today Dell confirmed that, "under rare conditions, it is possible for these batteries to overheat, which could cause a risk of fire."
However, on the PC maker's blog, Direct2Dell, Alex Gruzen, Senior Vice President for Mobility Products sent out mixed messages about whether the recall was spurred by the now famous self-combusting Dell incident in Osaka.
"Many of you are thinking that this action is a direct result of the notebook fire at a business meeting in Osaka, Japan back in June, as well as a couple of other incidents that have been posted on the Internet," he wrote.
Instead, he said Dell had been analysing battery safety data for some time.
"In this case, there was not much to go on, especially considering how few incidents there were in relation to how many notebooks Dell sells as the largest notebook brand worldwide"
"Some might say we are being conservative and even overreacting in taking this broad action, but even one more incident is too many."
The affected batteries were sold with Dell Latitude, Inspiron, XPS and Dell Precision Mobile Workstation notebook computers between 1 April 2004 and 18 July 2006, and are marked with the following serial numbers:
The serial numbers are marked on the battery pack:
If your battery is affected, Dell recommends that you stop using it right now.
Dell's Battery Recall web site contains further information on how to claim a replacement.