Dell knew about "dozens" of burned laptops two years before recall?

We know you've all been following closely as Dell investigates the case of their exploding laptop, so you'll probably be interested to hear about a report claiming that Dell knew dozens of their laptops had sustained extensive heat damageat least two years before initiating any kind of recall. The source, who is claimed to be someone "close to the company," has said that Dell execs were provided with documents and photographs in 2003 and 2004 showing lappies described as "burned," "melted" and even "scorched." Of course we can't vouch for the legitimacy of the source's information, but if it's true, the danger that could be involved makes "dozens" sound like a lot, even compared to the millions Dell sells every year.

[Di @ Jul 20th 2006 1:48PM]

Can you say "Fight Club"? I imagine billion dollar computer manufacturers aren't much different than car manufacturers.

[Jeff @ Jul 20th 2006 2:21PM]

Can you imagine if something like this were to happen on an airplane?

[Crossbar @ Jul 20th 2006 2:28PM]

It may have already happened:

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/tech/20060712-1221-cargoplanefire.html

[Ryan @ Jul 20th 2006 3:11PM]

Dozens is not a lot compared to millions...Ever! This is such a small percentage, miniscule in fact.

[Doug McKay @ Jul 20th 2006 3:55PM]

Here's a link to a report of another burning Dell laptop: http://kd7lrj.blogspot.com/2006/07/dell-laptop-battery-trouble-at-novell.html

This particular incident may have been caused by using a third-party battery in the laptop. Still...

[Tim UF @ Jul 20th 2006 4:16PM]

anyone have a link to the video of this happening? i've seen it, but can't seem to find the link again.

[John Doe @ Jul 20th 2006 4:38PM]

*sighs* Crossbar, Wanna bet that was a defective battery that leaked? Not a damn computer that blew up. Idiot fanbois abound at Engadget. >:-(

[Jason Kim @ Jul 20th 2006 4:41PM]

Isn't these the same batteries that the Tesla Roadster is made out of? I see disaster on the horizon. =]

[Rus @ Jul 20th 2006 5:47PM]

There may have also been a cover up involved ... software (called SERMA=Search Engine Reputation Management & Accounting) from a company called Converseon indicates that Dell is a big customer and often tries to manipulate search engines.

[Rich @ Jul 20th 2006 5:59PM]

Considering I woke up one day last winter, and my laptop had spontaneously hit over 80 C (!) while I slept, I find this report completely believable. It hadn't turned off, either. I injured (lightly) my fingers powering it off in a sane manner (the keyboard was bloody hot, obviously), and then the discoloring of the screen didn't go away until the system had cooled down.

It's fortunate that I didn't have anything blocking the cooling vents, or anything really flammable around the laptop, or...

[Brian @ Jul 21st 2006 1:35AM]

I'm sure MILLIONS of people a month read this blog, and I just can't believe that a rumor as damaging to a public corporation as this one would be printed on this site.

Glad I don't own Dell's stock anymore. :-P

[geekpdx @ Jul 21st 2006 12:30PM]

Brian:

Real investors know how to do math and deal with rumors. More often than not, they come out on top, along with the company - but if your company can't attract anything other than bozo "investors" who drop the stock and run for the hills at the first sign of a rumor... well, your company needs to do some damn hard work to attract the real investors.

As if a gadget site is supposed to be responsible for the PR nightmare that ensues when your products occasionally catch fire.

Keeping things quiet isn't the same as solving a problem you know.

[fuser @ Jul 21st 2006 5:21PM]

I am not a Dell fanboy but I hate when people jump all over these corporations (Sony, MSFT, apple, etc.)without knowing exactly what is happening and the without taking into account the scale.

I am also "very close to the company" and know first hand that Dell is extremely proactive when it comes to safety. They have an entire department that handles and analyzes EVERY single safety issue.

We have no idea what caused that fire (bad battery, misuse, poor design, cheap parts, blocked exhaust) but when you are dealling with the millions of systems Dell sells and even if you do have a dozen systems that go haywire you are running at a greater than 99.9999% success rate. And I think that is pretty darn spiffy.

And yes I am sure that Dell knew of at least a dozen laptops that have been described as "'burned,' 'melted' and even 'scorched.'" And I am also sure that at least half of those were the users own fault (cheap batteries, unsuitable environment, etc.). But lets also remember that there will be failures in electronic components and as long as there isnt a pattern to these problems and there are relatively few in nature there really isnt much any company can do.

BTW have you seen the guy fry the egg on his mac?

[Thomas Forqueran @ Jul 22nd 2006 8:02PM]

7/21/06
Statement to;
National Park service
601 Nevada way
Boulder City, Nevada
89005

on 7/13 about 1 PM while getting ready to load up our camping gear @ Gregs Hideout My truck (a family heirloom, ) burst into flames. 3 minutes previously my companion had just put a towel, T-shirt and tobacco can on the seat . All was well (He later said he heard a "popping" noise) then I smelt smoke looked up and flames were shooting out the passenger side window, I ran opened drivers door and saw flames shooting from my Dell laptop already engulfing passenger side and rushing towards me and the 3 boxes of "ammo" in the glove box. I just barley got "ducked down behind my quad when they started going off, and then the gas tanks began exploding.

The truck had aside from "laptop" GPS, metal detector ,cell phone ,wallet, camera, Winchester and other expensive toys inside .

It took 8 hrs. in 110 degree weather to get a tow truck there ($500 )

Only saving grace was park ranger Brandon Marsmaker who made an extra 1 hr round boat trip to bring ice water . my fishing buddy suffered heat exhaustion and dizziness all day. I had only a few scrapes and minor burns.

I can never replace "Grandpa's truck" or all the hours of fun at the "Route 66 Fun Runs" or the daily compliments on my "fine " truck (Grandpa bought it new and kept it that way).

I am going after Dell on this
Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.
Thomas

[Gilbert @ Aug 16th 2006 11:40PM]

So let me get this straight, you put your computer inside an old steel truck (on the floor of the truck if the article I read is correct) in 110 degree heat during the peak of the afternoon and you're surprised that the lithium ion battery burst into flames?

See this:
http://www.ultralifebatteries.com/documents/whitepapers/UBM-5112_Li-ion_Li-Poly_Precautions.pdf

Note point number 3 on page 3. "Do not place the battery in direct sunlight, or use or store the battery inside cars in hot weather. Doing so may cause the battery to generate heat, explode or ignite."

You want some suggestions? I think you need to stop dragging the sentimental "Grandpa's truck" line out for the sake of trying to sue someone and take a little personal responsibility for your actions. We all make mistakes and most of us don't read warning labels, but at least own up to it and don't blame someone else for your own mistakes.