Laptop Battery Recall Executive Summary
(Posted Oct 2006)
If you think 'Snakes On A Plane' is scary, at least that was make-believe. 'Burning Batteries On A Plane' is a lot scarier, and unfortunately, real. And Samuel L. Jackson won't be there to protect you. Burning batteries were exactly what made Dell Computers, IBM / Lenovo, Toshiba, and Apple recall over 5 million of their laptop's Sony batteries. For more info about how to know if your computer's battery is in danger, whether it's a Dell, IBM / Lenovo, Toshiba, or Apple computer or not, and info on how to prevent such a problem, read on:
As a warranty repair center for Hewlett Packard / Compaq, Fujitsu, IBM, Lenovo, and Toshiba, we immediately queried them all to find out what danger our clients might be in with their laptop batteries. Some battery safety tips and tricks follow, along with the responses we received from the manufacturers about their specific batteries.
Executive Summary: Overheating or short circuits can cause pressure and temperature increases inside of battery cells, which can cause a fire hazard. Prior to catching fire, some customers reported hearing a hissing, cracking or popping sound immediately before these incidents. Smoke, sparks, and in some instances flames may escape from the battery during these incidents. The battery pack may become extremely hot and the heat may cause the bottom of the portable computer to become deformed. In extreme circumstances, the heat may create a hole in the bottom of the computer.
Tips and Tricks For Keeping Batteries From Catching Fire:
* Only use battery packs and charging devices that have been approved for use with your particular product. Non-approved batteries may lack circuitry that vents excess heat or shuts off the battery before overheating.
* Keep batteries from coming in contact with metal or liquids, which can cause short-circuits.
* Wrap spare batteries in a non-metallic substance such as cloth.
* Do not crush or puncture the battery pack, or expose it to high temperatures.
* Keep the areas around battery compartments, electrical connectors, and device bays clean and free of debris, particularly stray metal.
* If your battery will not charge, will not operate very long in battery mode, or if the Battery Health indicator is red (this feature may not be included on your model) you should discontinue using it and obtain a replacement battery.
* Portable computers generate heat when operating or when batteries are charging. Do not leave the base of your computer in contact with objects that are particularly sensitive to heat (such as flammable or combustible materials, plastic or wax objects, and certain types of wood or leather).
* Vents, fans and/or heat sinks are provided with the product for safety, comfort, and reliable operation. Never block or disable these features. Ensure vents do not become blocked inadvertently if the product is placed on a bed, sofa, carpet, or other flexible surface.
Feedback: here's what the individual manufacturers had to say to us:
==> HP / Compaq, and Fujitsu report no known problems with their batteries. They indicate that the issues experienced by Dell's and Apple's systems are due to a combination of factors which are not present in their own systems.
==> IBM / Lenovo announced on September 28,2006 that it is recalling 526,000 laptop batteries made by Sony Corp. because of problems with overheating, posing a possible fire hazard. Customers need to check to see if they are using one of the affected models, which were sold in certain ThinkPad notebooks or as replacement batteries between February 2005 and September 2006. IBM / Lenovo will provide free replacements for all recalled batteries. Customers who bought one of the following systems may have a battery subject to this recall:
==> Thinkpad R Series (R51e, R52,R60, R60e)
==> ThinkPad T Series (T43, T43p, T60)
==> ThinkPad X Series (X60, X60s)
In addition, since these batteries can be used with ThinkPad 4X or ThinkPad 5x series systems, customers who ordered spare batteries or an extra battery for any of those series could also have a battery subject to recall.
Full details of which systems could be affected and how you can claim your free replacements directly from IBM / Lenovo are available at the following website
http://ibmpcd.rsc03.net/servlet/cc5?pIuiQACBQSVOkijpgnLjxHlpOHQJhuV2VR
==> Toshiba states that the design of the battery packs supplied by Sony differs from those that were supplied to Dell and cited in Dell's recall. The system design of Toshiba notebook PCs also differs from that of Dell's. Sony confirmed that there is no problem like that in the Dell or Apple recall with the battery packs supplied to Toshiba. However, Toshiba announced on Sept 19, 2006 that it is recalling 340,000 laptop batteries made by Sony Corp. between March and May of 2006 because of problems with recharging them. The batteries sometimes stop recharging or run out of power, but no injuries or other accidents have been reported. They do not overheat, or pose any safety related issue or concern. Toshiba will replace the batteries for free. To get your free replacement battery, contact Atiwa Computing at 713-467-9390 or toll free 800-428-2532.
The affected Toshiba models are:
==> Satellite A100/A105
==> Satellite M100/M105
==> Satellite M50 / M55
==> Tecra A6
==> Tera A7
==> Dell has set up a website, www.dellbatteryprogram.com to provides details about their battery recall.
==> Gateway has said that none of their batteries have the affected Sony batteries in them.
Need other help or more information on battery safety? Call Atiwa Computing at 713-467-9390 or toll-free 800-428-2532, and ask for Harvard, Greg, or Bill. Or, go to our website, http://www.atiwa.com for some great free resources, or, just send an email to mailto:atiwa@atiwa.com.
We'll give you ideas over the phone and you can decide from there. Simple. Easy. Hassle-free. We've been providing office technology support to businesses for 23 years. We're your office-technology-management experts. Call us today, you'll be glad you did!
