http://www.engadget.com/2006/07/20/dell-knew-about-dozens-of-burned-laptops-two-years-before-reca/ Engadget Comments for Dell knew about "dozens" of burned laptops two years before recall? http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2006/07/20/dell-knew-about-dozens-of-burned-laptops-two-years-before-reca/http://www.engadget.com/2006/07/20/dell-knew-about-dozens-of-burned-laptops-two-years-before-reca/Jul 20th 2006 1:48PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/07/20/dell-knew-about-dozens-of-burned-laptops-two-years-before-reca/http://www.engadget.com/2006/07/20/dell-knew-about-dozens-of-burned-laptops-two-years-before-reca/Jul 20th 2006 2:21PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/07/20/dell-knew-about-dozens-of-burned-laptops-two-years-before-reca/http://www.engadget.com/2006/07/20/dell-knew-about-dozens-of-burned-laptops-two-years-before-reca/
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/tech/20060712-1221-cargoplanefire.html]]>Jul 20th 2006 2:28PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/07/20/dell-knew-about-dozens-of-burned-laptops-two-years-before-reca/http://www.engadget.com/2006/07/20/dell-knew-about-dozens-of-burned-laptops-two-years-before-reca/Jul 20th 2006 3:11PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/07/20/dell-knew-about-dozens-of-burned-laptops-two-years-before-reca/http://www.engadget.com/2006/07/20/dell-knew-about-dozens-of-burned-laptops-two-years-before-reca/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...]]>Jul 20th 2006 3:55PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/07/20/dell-knew-about-dozens-of-burned-laptops-two-years-before-reca/http://www.engadget.com/2006/07/20/dell-knew-about-dozens-of-burned-laptops-two-years-before-reca/Jul 20th 2006 4:16PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/07/20/dell-knew-about-dozens-of-burned-laptops-two-years-before-reca/http://www.engadget.com/2006/07/20/dell-knew-about-dozens-of-burned-laptops-two-years-before-reca/:-(]]>Jul 20th 2006 4:38PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/07/20/dell-knew-about-dozens-of-burned-laptops-two-years-before-reca/http://www.engadget.com/2006/07/20/dell-knew-about-dozens-of-burned-laptops-two-years-before-reca/Jul 20th 2006 4:41PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/07/20/dell-knew-about-dozens-of-burned-laptops-two-years-before-reca/http://www.engadget.com/2006/07/20/dell-knew-about-dozens-of-burned-laptops-two-years-before-reca/Jul 20th 2006 5:47PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/07/20/dell-knew-about-dozens-of-burned-laptops-two-years-before-reca/http://www.engadget.com/2006/07/20/dell-knew-about-dozens-of-burned-laptops-two-years-before-reca/
It's fortunate that I didn't have anything blocking the cooling vents, or anything really flammable around the laptop, or...]]>Jul 20th 2006 5:59PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/07/20/dell-knew-about-dozens-of-burned-laptops-two-years-before-reca/http://www.engadget.com/2006/07/20/dell-knew-about-dozens-of-burned-laptops-two-years-before-reca/
Glad I don't own Dell's stock anymore. :-P]]>Jul 21st 2006 1:35AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/07/20/dell-knew-about-dozens-of-burned-laptops-two-years-before-reca/http://www.engadget.com/2006/07/20/dell-knew-about-dozens-of-burned-laptops-two-years-before-reca/
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.]]>Jul 21st 2006 12:30PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/07/20/dell-knew-about-dozens-of-burned-laptops-two-years-before-reca/http://www.engadget.com/2006/07/20/dell-knew-about-dozens-of-burned-laptops-two-years-before-reca/
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?]]>Jul 21st 2006 5:21PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/07/20/dell-knew-about-dozens-of-burned-laptops-two-years-before-reca/http://www.engadget.com/2006/07/20/dell-knew-about-dozens-of-burned-laptops-two-years-before-reca/

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



]]>Jul 22nd 2006 8:02PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/07/20/dell-knew-about-dozens-of-burned-laptops-two-years-before-reca/http://www.engadget.com/2006/07/20/dell-knew-about-dozens-of-burned-laptops-two-years-before-reca/
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.]]>Aug 16th 2006 11:40PM