What the Dell? Biggest Consumer Recall Ever
If you or a loved one sports a Dell Inspiron, Latitude or Precision, heads up! Dell and the U.S. Products and Safety Commission plan are recalling 4.1 million notebook batteries.The recall affects certain mobile workstation units shipped between April 2004 and July 18, 2006. Interestingly enough Sony manufactured the batteries that are being recalled. Though Sony makes batteries for other computer manufacturers this recall only affects Dell as of now.
Customers can go to a Dell Web site to determine if they need a new battery. Dell also plans to launch a toll-free number, 1-866-342-0011, for people affected by the situation.
In the meantime, if customers have one of the affected units they are advised to eject the battery from the notebook after powering down and continue using the notebook with its AC power adapter.
Dell has faced several issues this year related to exploding or flaming notebooks. Back in July some photos were published purportedly showing a Dell notebook exploding at a conference in Japan.
The 4.1 million units is a subset of the 22 million units shipped during that time frame.
UPDATE: While visiting Dallas this week I stopped in at one of the country's two Dell retail stores. It's kind of like a larger mall kiosk you have probable seen. They don't carry inventory but you can look and feel around. The manager said a few people have brought their laptop batteries in for replacement but they were told to follow the rules on the Dell battery replacement web site.
posted by The High-Tech Texan at
5:49 PM
7 Comments:
I have a Dell. When will I know if I need to replace my battery?
By
Anonymous, at 6:07 PM
What do I do in the meantime to ensure my laptop doesn't explode?
By
Anonymous, at 6:08 PM
Ellis, stop using your battery power. Plug your laptop in and use the AC power until you determine if your machine is on the recall list.
By
The High-Tech Texan, at 6:10 PM
I just heard your comments on 740. Will my laptop still run if take the battery off but plug it onto an AC outlet?
By
Anonymous, at 7:56 PM
For first-hand information on the battery recall, here's a link to the Dell blog and a copy of the Dell news release:
http://www.direct2dell.com/default.aspx
Dell Announces Battery Recall
Instructions On Company’s Web Site Tuesday at 1 A.M. Central Daylight Time
ROUND ROCK, Texas, Aug. 14, 2006—In cooperation with the U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and other regulatory agencies worldwide, Dell is today announcing the voluntary recall of approximately 4.1 million Dell-branded lithium-ion batteries with cells manufactured by Sony. Under rare conditions, it is possible for these batteries to overheat, which could cause a risk of fire.
The recalled batteries were sold with the following Dell notebook computers: Dell Latitude™ D410, D500, D505, D510, D520, D600, D610, D620, D800, D810; Inspiron™ 6000, 8500, 8600, 9100, 9200, 9300, 500m, 510m, 600m, 6400, E1505, 700m, 710m, 9400, E1705; and Dell Precision™ M20, M60, M70 and M90 mobile workstations; and XPS™, XPS Gen2, XPS M170 and XPS M1710. The batteries were also sold separately, including in response to service calls. “Dell” and one of the following are printed on the batteries: “Made in Japan” or “Made in China” or “Battery Cell Made in Japan Assembled in China.” The identification number for each battery appears on a white sticker. Customers should have this number available when they contact Dell to determine if their battery is part of the recall.
Dell sold or provided these batteries with the notebook computers, as part of a service replacement, and as individual units from April 1, 2004, through July 18, 2006. The computers with these batteries sold for between $500 and $2,850 (US) and individual batteries sold for between $60 and $180 (US).
Customers should contact Dell to determine if their notebook computer battery is part of this recall. Please visit the firm’s Web site at www.dellbatteryprogram.com beginning at 1 a.m. Central Daylight Time Aug. 15 or call toll-free at 1-866-342-0011, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time. Customers may continue to use the notebook computers safely by turning the system off, ejecting the battery, and using the AC adapter and power cord to power the system until the replacement battery is received. Customers can also write to: Dell Inc., Attn: Battery Recall, 9701 Metric Blvd., Austin, Texas 78758.
Dell does not expect this recall to have a material adverse effect on its results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
About Dell
Dell Inc. (NASDAQ:DELL - News) listens to customers and delivers innovative technology and services they trust and value. Uniquely enabled by its direct business model, Dell sells more systems globally than any computer company, placing it No. 25 on the Fortune 500. Company revenue for the past four quarters was $56.7 billion. For more information, visit http://www.dell.com. To get Dell news direct, visit http://www.dell.com/RSS.
Special Note
Statements in this press release that relate to future results and events (including statements about Dell’s anticipated financial results) are forward-looking statements based on Dell’s current expectations. Actual results in future periods could differ materially from those projected in these forward-looking statements because of a number of risks and uncertainties, including: general economic, business and industry conditions; the level and intensity of competition in the technology industry and the pricing pressures that have resulted; local economic and labor conditions, political instability, unexpected regulatory changes, trade protection measures, tax laws and fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; the ability to accurately predict product, customer and geographic sales mix; the ability to timely and effectively manage periodic product transitions; reliance on third-party suppliers for product components, including dependence on several single-source supplier relationships; the ability to effectively manage operating costs; the failure to attract and retain qualified personnel; the level of demand for the products and services Dell offers; the ability to manage inventory levels to minimize excess inventory, declining inventory values and obsolescence; and the effect of armed hostilities, terrorism, natural disasters and public health issues on the economy generally, on the level of demand for Dell's products and services and on Dell's ability to manage its supply and delivery logistics in such an environment. Additional discussion of these and other factors affecting Dell’s business and prospects is contained in Dell’s periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
By
Anonymous, at 9:06 PM
THERE IS A COMPLETELY SAFE LAPTOP BATTERY TECHNOLOGY
The Li-Fiber cell is completely safe and with $1 million the company can produce enough cells to prove that it has a laptop battery that is not only completely safe but also outperforms all existing laptop batteries. The 2006 massive recall by DELL, Apple, IBM, Toshiba and Lenovo of over 7 million notebook computer batteries made by Sony would be a thing of the past. Contact me Edward Anderson at TRU Group Inc if you have $1 million to invest.
By
Anonymous, at 5:47 PM
It seems like there is a new product recall every few days. I am especially concerned about all the recalls on painted toys and furniture products. I now have a personal file that alerts me to office furniture recalls. I also receive timely notices when one of my childrens toys has recalled. You can receive the recalls and update notices at the product blog page.
By
Cheryl's Office, at 12:26 AM
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