Exploding Laptop

Dude, it's a Dell!

from JoeUser Forums
I guess by now you guys have heard about the Dell laptop that exploded in Japan? I heard the news vaguely and didn't really pay attention. Only enough to note which company made this laptop. I did a mental check noting that it was a Dell laptop.

Our computer person asked those with Dell laptops to turn in their batteries. We have a lot of Dells in our office. I wonder why that is? I never asked.

Since I didn't really pay attention to that news report, I didn't see the picture of that laptop explosion. Of course there would be pictures!

I saw this on the Internet today. Link! Why am I not surprise that there is a website of the same name? Explodinglaptop.com and pictures of the laptop that exploded as well as links to how many articles were written about it!

Hmmm, I wonder if this blog will make that page? Probably too late anyway since all that excitement happened so long ago! You snooze, you lose when it comes to writing about current events!
laptops
18,029 views 14 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Probably too late anyway since all that excitement happened so long ago!

It's not 'that' long ago...a recent [this week] news report in Australia is that Qantas is reviewing policy about allowing laptops onboard as at least one aircraft fire has been attributed to failure of a Laptop Lithium battery.

Seems that lately Sony doesn't seem to be getting much of anything 'right'....

Star Control: Origins
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
here's a rejoinder to that burning laptop story.
ABC News: Could Burning Laptop Batteries Bring Down an Airplane?
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Consumer/story?id=2314891
but i still think batteries don't just get shortcircuited or something, they have to be plugged first to a main power source before anything of that sort happens. anyhow, it'll still be a while before i'd use my notebook in a plane
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Notebook Battery Recall

Dell has identified a potential issue associated with certain batteries sold with Dell LatitudeTM , InspironTM , XPSTM  and Dell Precision Mobile WorkstationTM  notebook computers. In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and other regulatory agencies, Dell is voluntarily recalling certain Dell-branded batteries with cells manufactured by Sony and offering free replacements for these batteries. Under rare conditions, it is possible for these batteries to overheat, which could pose a risk of fire. For more information click here. [Announced August 15, 2006].

Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
August 16 isn't old news at all....
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Dell replaced the need for letter bombs....disgruntled persons and terrorists now only need to post off an innocent looking (Dell) laptop and hope for the best.

You'd think Dell would've put them through more stringent testing before releasing them to the wild.

Look out!!! Is that a Dell I spy on your lap? Really, the consequenses could be horrendous....property damage is one thing, such personal injury entirely another.
Reply #7 from JoeUser Forums Top

You'd think Dell would've put them through more stringent testing before releasing them to the wild.

Nah, Dell is the best (?) example of JIT manufacturing.  Until now (and probably even after now) they will rely on the vendors to test.

But I bought my wife one last December.  I checked the web site.  Hers is not one of the ones being recalled.  Which is good since she gets on a plane today for Hamburg!

Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Dell's recall of 4.1 million fire-prone laptop batteries takes the heat off the company for now, but a former Dell technician says Dell has known about the problem for more than two years.

Robert Day, Dell's lead acoustic technician from 1997-2005, said the computer company received hundreds of laptops that were charred or melted as a result of the defective battery, which Dell is now recalling.

Day shared hundreds of photos of laptops with ConsumerAffairs.Com that he downloaded prior to leaving the company in January 2005. His lab was next to the Product Safety Investigations lab (PSI).

Day says Dell tried to hide the problem from the public for years. "They didn't want anyone to know how serious of a problem it was," Day said.

The photos are from one of PSI's technician's archives. By 2005 there were 14 technicians in that lab.

The findings of each lab, including the PSI, were submitted monthly to executives, so Day said there is no way many of the senior executives at Dell have not known about this problem for years.


WWW Link
Reply #9 from JoeUser Forums Top
It's not 'that' long ago...a recent [this week]


I know. I was trying to be scarcastic knowing how news changes so quickly, soon to be forgotten! Thx though!



DUDE! You got a new Dell Laptop battery!!!


I guess quite a few people will by the time the company's done!



but i still think batteries don't just get shortcircuited or something, they have to be plugged first to a main power source before anything of that sort happens. anyhow, it'll still be a while before i'd use my notebook in a plane


Do you think they'll ban laptops as carry on now? I haven't heard anything so who knows!



Reply By: JafoPosted: Thursday, August 17, 2006Notebook Battery Recall


Reply By: JafoPosted: Thursday, August 17, 2006August 16 isn't old news at all....


Thx Jafo! Again, scarcasm....and....falling flat! [boing!]




Dell replaced the need for letter bombs....disgruntled persons and terrorists now only need to post off an innocent looking (Dell) laptop and hope for the best. You'd think Dell would've put them through more stringent testing before releasing them to the wild. Look out!!! Is that a Dell I spy on your lap? Really, the consequenses could be horrendous....property damage is one thing, such personal injury entirely another.


! Very amusing Starkers!


they will rely on the vendors to test.


Isn't that stupid? Shouldn't they be more responsible than that?! That definately leaves them open for more liability!






But I bought my wife one last December. I checked the web site. Hers is not one of the ones being recalled. Which is good since she gets on a plane today for Hamburg!


Oy! I just found out too that the ones for my office mates are not the bad ones. Good news for a few people!



Reply By: Island Dog


Well that's just horrible! I'll check out the link. Thanks ID!
Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I believe the real issue here is not so much that Dell is a bad manufacturer (in the manufacturing world, they are no better or worse than others), but that there is not enough real information about the use of "Li-ion" based batteries in the first place.

For example:

1 - Any use of "Li-ion" based batteries is risky due to the unstable nature of the internal components and how they react during energy generation.

2 - "Li-ion" batteries start losing their efficiency the moment the manufacture process completes, not when they are first used.

3 - The life expectancy (defined as efficiency above 40%) is about 3 years [edited by author for correction from 1 year] under normal operating conditions.

4 - After life expectancy, it is not recommended to attempt to re-charge or use these types of batteries.

5 - The 'safety components' built into the "Li-ion" battery are responsible for ensuring that the battery does not over-charge, and therefore over-heat and become unstable. This portion is supposed to be tested and approved by the quality assurance division of the manufacturer of the batteries.

The correct approach would be for both notebook computer manufacturers, and the battery manufacturers, to include explicit information on the handling and use of the "Li-ion" batteries with the notebook documentation. This is where the weak link is in the manufacturing process.

Dell (and all other notebook manufacturers) can easily provide this documentation, and should - IMO - require the battery manufacturers to provide seperate documentation to be included in the notebook information packet.

BTW - I work in the manufacturing industry (10 years so far), and specifically in the quality control/assurance department of a local manufacturer here in Seattle.
Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Dell (and all other notebook manufacturers) can easily provide this documentation, and should - IMO - require the battery manufacturers to provide seperate documentation to be included in the notebook information packet.

BTW - I work in the manufacturing industry (10 years so far), and specifically in the quality control/assurance department of a local manufacturer here in Seattle.


The Dell exploded, but as they were OEM batteries, it makes you wonder who is not coming forward.

Quite simply, open a Mac, and find an IBM drive. Or a Sony Battery. I expect this to reach far beyond, but I like what Dell is doing. My Wife's laptop was not affected. But I wonder how many Compaq and Macs might be, and just the fact that none have gone critical is why we have not heard.
Reply #13 from Stardock Forums Top
All questions concerning dells battery recall you can go to www.dellbatteryprogram.com covering portables sold between April 1, 2004 and July 18, 2006.

You can fill the form online or call the number indicated in the url.
Reply #14 from JoeUser Forums Top
Reply By: The_MuggarPosted: Thursday, August 17, 2006!!!BOOM!!!


What, no special effects?!!



The correct approach would be for both notebook computer manufacturers, and the battery manufacturers, to include explicit information on the handling and use of the "Li-ion" batteries with the notebook documentation. This is where the weak link is in the manufacturing process.Dell (and all other notebook manufacturers) can easily provide this documentation, and should - IMO - require the battery manufacturers to provide seperate documentation to be included in the notebook information packet.


Well if they can't figure out that they should do this, perhaps we should begin a letter campaign? Hopefully this turn of events and the exposure will get them to act.


BTW - I work in the manufacturing industry (10 years so far), and specifically in the quality control/assurance department of a local manufacturer here in Seattle.


Aaha, thx Corky, this is some good info!



My Wife's laptop was not affected. But I wonder how many Compaq and Macs might be, and just the fact that none have gone critical is why we have not heard.


This might be true Doc, unfortunately!



All questions concerning dells battery recall you can go to www.dellbatteryprogram.com covering portables sold between April 1, 2004 and July 18, 2006.You can fill the form online or call the number indicated in the url.


Thx MadWolfman! Loving your moniker!