Ram & Reason: Checklist of Notebook Battery

The past two years has seen a dizzying variety of notebook battery recalls. To help in sorting it all out - and in case you might have missed one - I have compiled a brief checklist of recent notebook battery recalls that have been documented by The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (http://www.cpsc.gov/). The affected period is from August 2004 to October 23, 2006.

Sony Recalls Notebook Computer Batteries Due to Previous Fires - October 23, 2006

The following product safety recall was voluntarily conducted by the firm in cooperation with the CPSC. Consumers should stop using the product immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Rechargeable, lithium ion batteries containing Sony cells used in Fujitsu Computer Systems Corporation, Gateway Inc., Sony Electronics Inc., and Toshiba America Information Systems Inc. notebook computers.

Units: About 340,000 batteries (an additional 3,080,000 battery packs were sold worldwide)

Hazard: These lithium ion batteries can overheat, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: There have been 16 reports of notebook computer batteries overheating, causing minor property damage and two minor burns. All of these reported incidents and injuries have been associated with earlier recalls of notebook computer batteries containing these Sony cells. There have been no incidents involving batteries sold by the notebook manufacturers participating in this announcement.

Description: These lithium ion batteries were sold with, or sold separately to be used with, the following notebook computer models:

Sold: Directly by Fujitsu Computer Systems Corporation, Gateway Inc., Sony Electronics Inc., and Toshiba America Information Systems Inc. and through authorized distributors as part of a notebook computer. The computers sold for between $500 and $3000 and the batteries were also sold separately for between $75 and $200, during the following dates:

Remedy: Consumers should remove the affected batteries from notebook computers until they contact their computer manufacturer and receive further instructions. Batteries covered by this program will be replaced free of charge. Consumers should use only batteries obtained from their computer manufacturer or from an authorized reseller.

Consumer Contact: Customers should contact the manufacturer of their notebook computer to determine if their battery is covered by this program and to request a replacement battery. The contact information for the participating manufacturers is:

Lenovo and IBM Announce Recall of ThinkPad Notebook Computer Batteries Due to Fire Hazard - September 28, 2006

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firms named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Rechargeable, lithium-ion batteries used in ThinkPad notebook computers

Units: About 168,500 battery packs (an additional 357,500 battery packs were sold worldwide).

Battery Distributor: Lenovo (United States) Inc., of Research Triangle Park, N.C. and International Business Machines Corp., of Armonk, N.Y.

Hazard: These lithium-ion batteries can cause overheating, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Lenovo has received one confirmed report of a battery overheating and causing a fire that damaged the notebook computer. The incident, which occurred within an airport terminal as the user was boarding an airplane, caused enough smoking and sparking that a fire extinguisher was used to put it out. There was minor property damage and no injuries were reported.

Description: The recalled lithium-ion batteries were sold with or sold separately to be used with the following ThinkPad notebook computers: T Series (T43, T43p, T60, T60p); R Series (R51e, R52, R60, R60e); and X Series (X60, X60s). The recalled batteries have the following part or model numbers, which can be found on the battery label:

ASM P/N       FRU P/N
92P1072        92P1073
92P1088        92P1089
92P1142        92P1141
92P1170        92P1169 or 93P5028
92P1174        92P1173 or 93P5030

Sold Through: Lenovo and IBM's Web sites, telephone and direct sales, and Lenovo and IBM authorized distributors between February 2005 and September 2006 as an accessory for between $150 and $180 and as part of a ThinkPad notebook computer for between $750 and $3500.

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled batteries immediately and contact Lenovo to receive a replacement battery, free-of-charge. Until a replacement battery arrives, consumers can continue to use their computer by turning off the system, removing the battery, and plugging in the AC adapter and power cord. Consumers should use only genuine ThinkPad batteries obtained from either Lenovo or an authorized reseller.

Consumer Contact: Customers should contact Lenovo at (800) 426-7378 anytime or log on to www.lenovo.com/batteryprogram to determine if the battery is part of the recall and to receive a replacement battery.

Apple Announces Recall of Batteries Used in Previous iBook and PowerBook Computers Due To Fire Hazard - August 24, 2006

Name of Product: Rechargeable, lithium-ion batteries with cells manufactured by Sony for certain previous iBook G4 and PowerBook G4 notebook computers only.

Units: About 1.1 million battery packs (an additional 700,000 battery packs were sold outside the U.S.)

Hazard: These lithium-ion batteries can overheat, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Apple has received nine reports of batteries overheating, including two reports of minor burns from handling overheated computers and other reports of minor property damage. No serious injuries were reported.

Description: The recalled lithium-ion batteries were used with the following computers: 12-inch iBook G4, 12-inch PowerBook G4 and 15-inch PowerBook G4. Consumers should remove the battery from the computer to view the model and serial numbers labeled on the bottom of the unit.

Computer model name	Battery model number	Battery serial numbers
12-inch iBook G4	A1061	ZZ338 through ZZ427 3K429 through 3K611 6C519 through 6C552
12-inch PowerBook G4	A1079	ZZ411 through ZZ427 3K428 through 3K611
15-inch PowerBook G4	A1078 and A1148	3K425 through 3K601 6N530 through 6N551 6N601

Sold Through: Apple’s online store, Apple retail stores nationwide, and Apple Authorized Resellers from October 2003 through August 2006 for between $900 and $2300. The batteries also were sold separately for about $130.

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled batteries immediately and contact Apple to arrange for a replacement battery, free of charge. After removing the recalled battery from their iBook or PowerBook, consumers should plug in the AC adapter to power the computer until a replacement battery arrives.

Consumer Contact: Contact Apple at (800) 275-2273 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. CT Monday through Sunday or log on to Apple’s Web site at http://support.apple.com/batteryprogram to check the battery’s serial number and request a replacement battery.

Dell Announces Recall of Notebook Computer Batteries Due To Fire Hazard - August 15, 2006

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Dell-branded lithium-ion batteries made with cells manufactured by Sony

Units: About 2.7 million battery packs (an additional 1.5 million battery packs were sold outside the U.S.)

Hazard: These lithium-ion batteries can overheat, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Dell has received six reports of batteries overheating, resulting in property damage to furniture and personal effects. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The recalled batteries were sold with or sold separately to be used with the following Dell notebook computers:

“Dell” and one of the following markings are printed on the batteries: “Made in Japan,” “Made in China,” or “Battery Cell Made in Japan Assembled in China.” The identification number for each battery appears on a white sticker.

Sold through: Dell’s Web site, phone and direct sales as part of a service replacement program, and catalogs from April 2004 through July 2006. The computers with these batteries sold for between $500 and $2850 and individual batteries sold for between $60 and $180.

Remedy: Consumers should stop using these recalled batteries immediately and contact Dell to receive a replacement battery. Consumers can continue to use the notebook computers safely by turning the system off, ejecting the battery, and using the AC adapter and power cord to power the system until the replacement battery is received.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Dell toll-free at (866) 342-0011 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, log on to the firm’s Web site at www.dellbatteryprogram.com, or write to: Dell Inc., Attn: Battery Recall, 9701 Metric Blvd., Austin, Texas 78758.

HP Recalls Notebook Computer Batteries Due to Fire Hazard - April 20, 2006

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Hazard: An internal failure can cause the battery to overheat and melt or char the plastic case, posing a burn and fire hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: HP has received 20 reports of batteries overheating, including two in the United States. One minor burn injury has been reported. Eleven cases of minor property damage were reported, including one in the United States.

Description: The recalled lithium ion rechargeable batteries are used with various HP and Compaq notebook computers. The recalled batteries are a subset of those manufactured in early January 2005, and will have a bar code label starting with L3. HP and Compaq Notebook Model Series that may contain a recalled battery include:

HP Pavilion Family	HP Compaq Family	Compaq Presario Family
dv1xxx ze2xxx	nx48xx	V2xxx M2xxx

The notebook model is located on the display screen bezel or in the labeling on the bottom of the notebook.

Sold at: National and regional computer and electronics stores, online stores, and at hp.com and hpshopping.com from January 2005 through December 2005 for between $1,000 and $3,000. The battery packs also were sold separately for between $100 and $130.

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the “L3” coded batteries immediately and contact HP to determine if the specific battery is one of the ones being recalled, and if it is, receive a free replacement battery. After removing the recalled battery from their notebook computer, consumers should plug in the AC adapter to power the notebook until a replacement battery arrives.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, visit the HP Battery Replacement Program Web Site at www.hp.com/support/BatteryReplacement , or contact HP at (888) 202-4320 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. CT Monday through Friday.

CPSC, Dell Announce Recall of Notebook Computer Batteries - December 16, 2005

Incidents/Injuries: Dell has received three reports of batteries overheating. The incidents involved damage to a tabletop, a desktop, and minor damage to personal effects. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The recalled batteries were sold with the following Dell notebook computers: Latitude™ D410, D505, D510, D600, D610, D800, D810; Inspiron™ 510M, 600M, 6000, 8600, 9200, 9300, XPS Gen 2; and Dell Precision™ M20 and M70 mobile workstations. The batteries were also sold separately, including as secondary batteries and in response to service calls. The batteries insert into the battery bay located on the underside of the notebook. “Dell” and “Made in Japan” or “Made in China” are stamped on the batteries. The identification number for each battery appears on a white sticker. Customers should have this number available when they contact Dell to determine if their battery is part of the recall.

Sold at: Dell sold these batteries with the notebook computers, as part of a service replacement, and as individual units on its Web site and catalogs from October 5, 2004 through October 13, 2005. The computers with these batteries sold for between $900 and $2,650, and individual batteries sold for between $99 and $179.

Remedy: Customers should contact Dell to determine if their notebook computer battery is part of this recall. If it is, consumers should immediately stop using the battery as a power source for their notebook computer. Dell will provide a free replacement battery.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Dell toll-free at (866) 342-0011 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, go to the firm’s Web site at www.dellbatteryprogram.com, or write to: Dell Inc., Attn: Battery Program, 9701 Metric Blvd., Suite 200 Austin, Texas 78758.

CPSC, Hewlett-Packard Company Announce Recall of Notebook Computer Batteries - October 14, 2005

Units: About 135,000 battery packs worldwide, including about 85,000 in the U.S.

Hazard: An internal short can cause the battery cells to overheat and melt or char the plastic case, posing a burn and fire hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: HP has received 16 reports of batteries overheating, including four in the U.S. No injuries have been reported. Four cases of minor property damage were reported, including one in the U.S.

Description: The recalled lithium ion rechargeable battery packs are used with various HP and Compaq notebook computers (see list below). The recalled battery packs are a subset of those manufactured March 2004 through September 2004, and will have a bar code label starting with GC, IA, L0 or L1.

Hewlett-Packard and Compaq Notebook Models that may contain a recalled battery pack

HP Pavilion	HP Compaq	Compaq Presario	Compaq Evo
dx4000 dx5000 zd8100 ze4100 ze4100/xt1xx 4200 ze4200 ze4300 ze4400 ze4500 ze4600 ze4700 ze4800 ze5155 ze5200 ze5300 ze5400 ze5500 ze5600 zv5000 zv5200 zx5000 zx5200	nc6000 nc8000 nw8000 nx5000 nx9005 nx9008 nx9010 nx9100 nx9105 9000 9005	1100 2100 2500 R3000 R3200 V1000 X4000 X5000 X6100	n1010v n1050v

Sold at: National and regional computer and electronics stores, online stores, hp.com and hpshopping.com from March 2004 through May 2005 for between $1,000 and $3,000. The battery packs also were sold separately for between $100 and $130.

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled batteries immediately and contact HP to arrange for a free replacement battery by visiting the Battery Replacement program Web site or by calling HP. After removing the recalled battery for their notebook computer, consumers should plug in the AC adapter to power the notebook until a replacement battery arrives.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, visit the HP Battery Replacement program Web site at www.hp.com/support/BatteryReplacement or contact HP at (888) 404-7398 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. CT Monday through Friday.

CPSC, Apple Announce Recall of iBook and PowerBook Computer Batteries - May 20, 2005

Name of Product: Rechargeable batteries for iBook G4 and PowerBook G4 computers.

Hazard: An internal short can cause the battery cells to overheat, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Apple has received six reports worldwide of batteries overheating, including two reports in the United States.

Description: The recalled lithium ion batteries are used with the following computers: 12-inch iBook G4, 12-inch PowerBook G4 and 15-inch PowerBook G4. The recalled batteries include those with model numbers A1061, A1078 and A1079 and serial numbers that begin with HQ441 through HQ507 or 3X446 through 3X510. Consumers should remove the battery from the computer to view the model and serial numbers labeled on the bottom of the unit. No other PowerBook or iBook batteries are involved in this recall.

Computer model name	Battery model number	Battery serial number range
12-inch iBook G4	A1061	HQ441 – HQ507
12-inch PowerBook G4	A1079	3X446 – 3X510
15-inch PowerBook G4	A1078	3X446 – 3X509

Sold At: National and regional resellers, catalogers, and Apple’s online and retail stores sold the computers with the batteries from October 2004 through May 2005 for between $900 to $2300. The batteries also were sold separately for about $130.

Consumer Contact: Contact Apple at (800) 275-2273 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. CT Monday through Sunday or log on to Apple’s web site at www.apple.com/support/batteryexchange to check your battery’s serial number and apply for a replacement battery.

CPSC, Apple Announce Recall of PowerBook Computer Batteries - August 19, 2004

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announces the following recall in voluntary cooperation with the firm below. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of product: Rechargeable batteries used in 15-inch PowerBook G4 computers

Units: About 28,000

Computer Manufacturer: Apple Computer Inc., of Cupertino, Calif.

Battery Manufacturer: LG Chem Ltd., of South Korea

Problem: An internal short can cause the battery cells to overheat, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Apple has received four reports of batteries overheating, though no injuries have been reported.

Description: The recalled batteries are used with the 15-inch PowerBook G4 (Aluminum) laptop computer. The batteries, which contain cells manufactured during the last week of December 2003 only, have the model number A1045 and serial numbers that begin with HQ404, HQ405, HQ406, HQ407, or HQ408. The model and serial numbers can be found on a label on the bottom of the battery. The battery is approximately 4 ¾ inches long, 3 ¼ inches wide, and ¾ inches tall. No other PowerBook or iBook batteries are involved in this recall.

Sold at: National and regional resellers, catalogers, and Apple’s online and retail stores sold the computers with the batteries from January 2004 through August 2004 for between $2000 and $2600. The batteries also were sold separately for about $130.

Assembled in: Taiwan

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled batteries immediately and contact Apple to arrange for a replacement battery, free of charge.

Consumer Contact: Contact Apple at (800) 275-2273 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. CT Monday through Sunday or log on to Apple’s Web site at www.apple.com/support/powerbook/batteryexchange

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC's hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270, or visit CPSC's web site at www.cpsc.gov/talk.html.

To join a CPSC email subscription list, please go to www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.asp. Consumers can obtain this release and recall information at CPSC's Web site at www.cpsc.gov.

Rob Rice is a member computer specialist in Anchorage, Alaska and a graduate of the Candler School of Theology, at Emory University, Atlanta GA. Rob can be contacted at articles@isp.com.