Dell is recalling 4.1 million notebook computer batteries because they could erupt in flames, the company said Monday.
Dell, the world's largest PC maker, said the lithium-ion batteries were made by Sony and were installed in notebooks sold between April 2004 and July 18 of this year (2006).
Dell said it would notify affected customers by mail and online, advising them to remove their current laptop battery immediately and arrange to send a replacement.
I've been having battery problems with this new Dell Inspiron since the day it arrived a couple months ago. My friends new Dell Inspiron battery gets so hot that his notebook CONSTANTLY trips on what must be a thermal overload.
Here in the forum, on 10 August, DELL orders us to STOP going out and buying "3rd Party" batteries to solve this overheating problem.
Now TONIGHT on NBC National News, DELL announces that ALL batteries in DELL Notebooks are being recalled because the batteries are exploding and catching the notebooks on fire.
DELL stated that ALL of us should remove our batteries NOW and run on the AC adapter only.
~ WHY ISN'T THIS IN THE FORUM?
~ WHY DIDN'T DELL EMAIL ME?
~ WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF I WASN'T WATCHING NBC TONIGHT?
To get a replacement you need to call 1-866-342-0011
However they closed for the day at 6 pm central so I didn't get through. Have to try tommorow I guess.
I have an Inspiron 9100. I have checked Dell's dedicated website for battery recalls and it is not working. Does anyone have another idea how to find out what batteries are being recalled?
dell stepped up and took it on the chin - there have been 6 incidents of "explosive ventilation" since last september. the sony batteries in question apparently span the dell portable lines. as EJN noted, other manufacturers will no doubt be affected, and will follow their lead.
"The current recall also leaves many questioned unanswered on how Dell, as well as the product safety commission, deals with information about fire-damaged notebooks. Although Dell told the agency that only six incidents had occurred, a reporter viewed almost 100 photos of melted notebooks that were returned to the company from 2002 to 2004. The photos, from a Dell database, were supplied by a former Dell technician, Robert Day, who said such damage “was more of a common thing than they are letting on.” As many as several hundred a year were returned. Mr. Day said, “I did see so many pallets of stuff coming in that they had to use my lab for overflow storage.”
I just found a website with the following information:
Customers should contact Dell to determine if their notebookcomputer battery is part of this recall. Please visit the firm's Website at www.dellbatteryprogram.com beginning at 1 a.m. CentralDaylight Time Aug. 15 or call toll-free at 1-866-342-0011, Mondaythrough Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time. Customers may continueto use the notebook computers safely by turning the system off,ejecting the battery, and using the AC adapter and power cord to powerthe system until the replacement battery is received. Customers canalso write to: Dell Inc., Attn: Battery Recall, 9701 Metric Blvd.,Austin, Texas 78758.
Wait until tomorrow when the site goes live. From the looks of it, the incidence of problems is small (and since Sony supplied batteries to many other notebook vendors, I'd venture there'll be a much wider recall involving other brands before too long).
The story on NBC News tonight said that the batteries are made by Sony. Nothing about which model computers are involved. I have an Inspiron M170 that came with a spare battery, but I can't find anything that tells me the batteries are made by Sony, but can't find any other manufacturer name other than Dell. It would be nice for Dell to put something out there about this. The NBC story says that the PC's should have their batteries removed and run on AC power only. They also say that other PC manufacturers other than Dell also use similar batteries by Sony, so this is probably only the beginning of the potential recalls. So, do we run on AC power, a big pain if for nothing, or do we take our chances and burn our houses down?
Pull up your computer's original configuration. I ordered a spare battery for mine when I ordered it in September 2004. One battery is listed as Sony and the other is listed as something else. Comparing the batteries side by side. One was made in China and one in Japan. I am assuming the Japan manufactured unit is the one made by Sony. Fortunately, it has not been the battery I routinely use.
Andy - Thanks for the data. I just copied and paste. I don't understand why this battery nformation was NOT emailed me to since I'm registered nor very user friendly to the consumer the moment you sign on to the page. I came to the forum just to see if someone else could find the info. Everytime I went to Dell's recall section for the battery (and by the way some AC adapters) the "click here" function showed that the page is no longer available. If you find any other data. I 'd appreciate it. Thanks for your info.
d
IT WOULD SEEM PROACTICE TO ME THAT THIS INFORMATION LIKE THE ONE THE MODERATOR STATED ABOUT NOT USING 3RD PARTY PARTS SHOULD ALREADY BE ADDRESSED AND POSTED /LISTED HERE - COULD SAVE MANY PEOPLE LOTS OF HEADACHES - could stop needless posting or questions - if just answered
To determine if your laptop battery is part of this recall, you can go here. This website will be live shortly after midnight Central Time. You’ll find answers to FAQs and new information as it is available here on Direct2Dell.
kites0852
23 Posts
0
August 14th, 2006 22:00
against
37 Posts
0
August 14th, 2006 22:00
J3T
2 Posts
0
August 14th, 2006 22:00
emax0
1 Message
0
August 14th, 2006 22:00
The models affected are:
Latitude
D410, D500, D505, D510, D520, D600, D610, D620, D800, D810
Inspiron
500m, 510m, 600m, 700, 710m, 6000, 6400, 8500, 8600, 9100, 9200, 9300, 9400, E1505, E1705
---
To get a replacement you need to call 1-866-342-0011
However they closed for the day at 6 pm central so I didn't get through. Have to try tommorow I guess.
Andy9100
2 Posts
0
August 14th, 2006 22:00
bweed6
806 Posts
0
August 14th, 2006 22:00
J3T
2 Posts
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August 14th, 2006 22:00
NY Times story on these exploding DELL Notebooks
"The current recall also leaves many questioned unanswered on how Dell, as well as the product safety commission, deals with information about fire-damaged notebooks. Although Dell told the agency that only six incidents had occurred, a reporter viewed almost 100 photos of melted notebooks that were returned to the company from 2002 to 2004. The photos, from a Dell database, were supplied by a former Dell technician, Robert Day, who said such damage “was more of a common thing than they are letting on.” As many as several hundred a year were returned. Mr. Day said, “I did see so many pallets of stuff coming in that they had to use my lab for overflow storage.”
Andy9100
2 Posts
0
August 14th, 2006 22:00
I just found a website with the following information:
Customers should contact Dell to determine if their notebookcomputer battery is part of this recall. Please visit the firm's Website at www.dellbatteryprogram.com beginning at 1 a.m. CentralDaylight Time Aug. 15 or call toll-free at 1-866-342-0011, Mondaythrough Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time. Customers may continueto use the notebook computers safely by turning the system off,ejecting the battery, and using the AC adapter and power cord to powerthe system until the replacement battery is received. Customers canalso write to: Dell Inc., Attn: Battery Recall, 9701 Metric Blvd.,Austin, Texas 78758.
DELL-Jimmy P
2 Intern
•
1.5K Posts
0
August 14th, 2006 22:00
Ok folks
This just went up, you can get more info here: http://www.direct2dell.com/one2one/archive/2006/08/14/1803.aspx
ejn63
9 Legend
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87.5K Posts
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August 14th, 2006 22:00
MJMCLAIN
6 Posts
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August 14th, 2006 22:00
kites0852
23 Posts
0
August 14th, 2006 22:00
Pull up your computer's original configuration. I ordered a spare battery for mine when I ordered it in September 2004. One battery is listed as Sony and the other is listed as something else. Comparing the batteries side by side. One was made in China and one in Japan. I am assuming the Japan manufactured unit is the one made by Sony. Fortunately, it has not been the battery I routinely use.
runwiththewildh
1 Rookie
•
1 Message
0
August 14th, 2006 23:00
DELL-Jimmy P
2 Intern
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1.5K Posts
0
August 14th, 2006 23:00
This is from the Blog:
To determine if your laptop battery is part of this recall, you can go here. This website will be live shortly after midnight Central Time. You’ll find answers to FAQs and new information as it is available here on Direct2Dell.
against
37 Posts
0
August 15th, 2006 00:00