Dell notebook battery recall - they may catch fire! (10/13/00)

Question

Dell Latitude and Inspiron notebook battery recall! (10/13/00)

Answer

This question was answered on October 13, 2000. Much of the information contained herein may have changed since posting.

Dell is voluntarily recalling certain batteries that were sold for use with some models of Latitude and Inspiron notebook computers. These batteries can short circuit, even when the battery is not in use, potentially causing them to become very hot, release smoke and possibly catch fire. As many as 27,000 notebook batteries may be at risk. In a statement, Dell emphasized that the recall affects only batteries used in the notebooks and not the notebooks themselves.

The recalled batteries were sold with the following models of Dell notebook computers:

Latitude CPiA

Latitude CPi R

Latitude CPtC

Latitude CPtS

Latitude CPtV

Latitude CPxH

Latitude CPxJ

Inspiron 3700

Inspiron 3800 (see label on bottom of computer).

The batteries were also sold separately, including in response to service calls. The batteries were shipped to customers between June 22 and September 15, 2000 (in North and South America) and between June 22 and October 4, 2000 (in Europe, the Middle East and Africa).

To get the official scoop from Dell, go to:

<a href="http://support.dell.com/battery/

"><font color="#003399">http://support.dell.com/battery/

</font></a>

This recall follows on the heals of a March 2000 recall of some 400,000 notebooks that Dell may have shipped with defective memory. The memory warning information and a test utility for the problem is posted at:

<a href="http://support.dell.com/us/en/filelib/download/index.asp?fileid=R20553"><font color="#003399">http://support.dell.com/us/en/filelib/download/index.asp?fileid=R20553</font></a>

Author

Posted by Ken of Data Doctors on October 13, 2000