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HARDWARE NEWS: Dell recalls 4 million laptop batteries. By John Stokdyk

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15th Aug 2006
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PC manufacturer Dell has issued a product recall affecting more than 4 million laptop PC batteries.

Reported to be the largest product recall in the history of the electronics industry, the announcement affects batteries supplied for the following machines:

  • Latitude: D410, D500, D505, D510, D520, D600, D610, D620, D800, D810
  • Inspiron: 500M, 510M, 600M, 700M, 710M, 6000, 6400, 8500, 8600, 9100, 9200, 9300, 9400, E1505, E1705
  • Precision: M20, M60, M70, M90
  • XPS: XPS, XPS Gen2, XPS M170, XPS M1710.

    The affected batteries were manufactured by Sony and shift with laptops sold between 1 April 2004 and 18 July 2006. For full details, Dell owners are advised to check the Dell battery return website, which lists the batteries affected and explains how to check the part numbers, which are listed on a sticker attached to each battery.

    The site explains that "under rare conditions, it is possible for these batteries to overheat, which could pose a risk of fire. As part of the voluntary recall, the company is offering free replacements. Batteries identified as being affected should not be used - although you can still run your PC using the AC power adapter, the company advises.

    The Register's hardware page helpfully catalogues several "Zippo laptop battery" incidents, with photos courtesy of Tom's Hardware Guide. Dozens of such incidents have been reported since 2003, and a previous recall took place in 2005.

    Dell founder and chairman Michael Dell said the company did not expect any material impact on its business to result from the battery recall and told told journalists Dell would continue to use Sony as a supplier of notebook batteries.

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