Another Dell laptop ignites
By Evan Blass 
posted July 28th 2006 10:07AM
posted July 28th 2006 10:07AM
[Thanks, Blake]
posted July 28th 2006 10:07AM
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Yikes! As an extra "bonus" Dell should now include a handy fire extiguisher with every notebook purchase just in case...
Easy as... Dell®
This thing was closed when it went up? Are these things going off while they are on or off? Or does it matter?
Well, I can't see the arrow keys over on the left, so I think we can safely assume the 'bad action' happened on the right.
My battery's on the left too, Jeff, but I reckon I'm gona stop leaving mine on all night from now on!!!
Hey someone tell me...isn't that where the hard drive goes on that model? It looks like a latitude d600 or the like, the same I have. The hd slides into the right from the side and the attached plastic contains the markers and openings for the different sound related jacks on the outside of the notebook. My laptop gets really really hot but has yet to burst into flames. I don't reccommend dell, more time getting it fixed than using it.
Lithium is a very reactive earth metal, and thus any contact between Lithium and water results in a very exothermic reaction, giving off a lot of heat. As the batteries in most notebooks have a decent amount of lithium, you can be assured that a hole allowing it to get out, even when closed, could cause it to come in contact with condensation on a countertop or perhaps even the moisture in the air if the humidity is high enough. That's a big bang, there, guys. I'd hate to see this happen while it's on someone's lap. Though you'd probably be able to get a very large settlement from it. Not sure if it's worth a leg, though.
Yes, I'm the "Henrik" with which Blake is talking about. For the full story, check out what I wrote over at THG.
http://forumz.tomshardware.com/hardware/Dude-Dell-freaking-blew-ftopict192887.html
Nice to see this floating around the net a little... :)
Regards,
Henrik
intesphere, that really is a good idea! too bad i already moved to another house recently... it would be worth trying =) you can also try expending this idea by leaving your wife at the laptop after getting a million dollar life insurance
Chad, Yes it was closed but it wasn't off. If you look at the other pictures at the source, it's clear that this laptop was hooked up to an external keyboard/mouse and display and was being used at the time it lit up.
That's a D600/610. I'm typing on one right now. And that IS where the battery sits.
Guess I'll move the fire extinguisher a bit closer
how ironic that lithium will make your computer blow up, but will sooth your manic-depressive tendencies.
forget about male of arab heritage while flying, look out for the geek with the Dell laptop.
That looks like a D610, I have a D610...
I just posted a mirror:
http://www.twitmirror.puffinhost.com/dell/
That's crazy...my battery isn't subject to recall...though...my 9300 gets so hot it might decide to set my desk on fire or something
I have an 17" HP desktop replacement (does that make it a laptop or a notebook ;-p) and the thing is a nut roaster. it would get extremely hot if i had it lied flat on a surface. my friend recommended i get a stand for it and it worked out great! http://proviewstand.com is the web site, great product to keep your laptop/notebook/portable pc cool (and nuts cool too)
I suggest notebook owners read the manuals that came with them, you may find interesting bits like this (form my IBM/Lenovo ThinkPad R50e manual):
"Un uso exesivo o un manejo incorrecto de la batería pueden hacer que la batería se caliente en exceso, lo que puede causar que "salgan" llamas de la batería o celda tipo moneda."
Which, roughly translated says:
"An excesive use or incorrect handling of the battery may cause it to overheat, which may cause flames to "come out" of the battery or cell."
I just love the "come out" part in quotes :-)
I should probably read my MacBook's manual too, altough I doubt it could top that :D
I suggest notebook owners read the manuals that came with them, you may find interesting bits like this (from my IBM/Lenovo ThinkPad R50e manual):
"Un uso exesivo o un manejo incorrecto de la batería pueden hacer que la batería se caliente en exceso, lo que puede causar que "salgan" llamas de la batería o celda tipo moneda."
Which, roughly translated says:
"An excesive use or incorrect handling of the battery may cause it to overheat, which may cause flames to "come out" of the battery or cell."
I just love the "come out" part in quotes :-)
I should probably read my MacBook's manual too, altough I doubt it could top that :D
who remembers their phrase "DUDE! u got a Dell....."
LOL
i keep my ibook off the table by putting it on top of a book which leaves the hot bottom exposed to the air
"Mission Impossible" refurbs? [intel inside]
oOoo..who needs nuclear weapons when we have this? Just bunch a few million of this together and *poof*, instant bomb!
Which also brings up another problem. Now nearly every country will be harbouring "weapons of mass destruction".. ;)
"Dude keep your limbs get a Pavilon"
This incident should be investigated, fail of the batteries or....arson.
Fry an egg with a Macbook but fry a steak with a Dell :)
Dell might want to hurry up its inquiry before one of them lights up midair onboard an airplane and Dell ends up facing more of a financial impact than an melted laptop.
Looks like the lid was closed. It is most likely that it was being charged at the time. How do we know whether or not the user was using the appropriate power supply. Or better yet this is not HP or Gateway deliberately blowing it up to create bad stories for Dell. All major manufactures have had battery problems. And all companies need to be more diligent with the specs and quality. And if people are not aware, companies like Sony, Toshiba, etc manufacture these batteries. They are likely to be on the hook for some of this but Dell is going to pay the heaviest price.
Now, I realise that my Inspiron 1000 is a low-end notebook, but the battery, after only a year, lasts 12 minutes while using Wi-Fi.
Was this a symptom before the... explosion? Because I sleep about 5 feet from mine.
Highway to Dell...
Dell's bells...
What the Dell...
...
Kevin,
I read your posting of July 28th @ 10:53AM on Engadget.com's blog on exploding Lithium-Ion batteries in notebooks and I just couldn't pass up the chance to email someone who is a legend in their own mind. I have a question about your posting. How many pairs of your pants come with a built in fire extinguisher? The way that notebook blew up and caught fire would you suggest everyone wear a Kevlar vest, safety glasses and Kevlar face mask while operating their notebook? Just as I thought. They must have named your email domain after you, getknowledge@idiots.com. May I suggest that the next time you post a comment knocking folks you first find an adult with common sense to proof read your posting before you click on the submit button and make a fool of yourself.
Mr. Joseph Sherry
I tried to start a support incident online with Dell recently regarding my D610 (similar or the same model pictured in this post) and the heat problem associated with it. I got an automated message back telling me not to keep it on my lap and that was about it.
I had a D600 before this one and it never had a problem with temperature. My D610 gets very, very hot to the point that you cannot touch it nor can you have it anywhere on your lap. An aAutomated response for this sort of thing is asking for more bad press.
hrmmm 2 computers in 1 year vs the god knows how many million sold. Not that bad of a failure ratio :P
Now I'm happy i have a not to young IBM laptop.
90% less chance of it blowing up i think.
this makes me scared to use my xps lol
Thats just scary man. I have one that looks just like that and it does get hot in that area :(
That looks just like a Dell Latitude D610 to me. Also, my D610's battery is on the same side as that ones. Scary thought... I would ask what the serial number of the battery was (to see if it was a recall model) but I doubt there is anything left :-P... Mines been getting extremely hot lately... maybe I'll keep it off until they do another recall... would hate to think about losing my manhood from a Dell.
FYI, you've been linked to via Fox News story on the Dell recall... :)
Not that I wasn't already on my way to this website already...
Try to keep it in perspective here:
It seems to me that Dell is getting the raw end of the deal here...It's not the computer that caught fire, it's the battery, made by Sony, that caught fire...That the computer caught fire is secondary to the fact that the battery exploded.
Dell, Dell, Dell...almost all are criticizing Dell and completely missing the root cause of this, other battery problems and many problems with almost everything bought in America these days..."MADE IN CHINA"!!!!
It's not just Dell, it's Apple and HP too:
http://wcco.com/consumer/local_story_148150249.html
Like others have posted, ANY Lithium Ion battery is at risk.
The Batteries were made by Sony. Apple and all the other companies put them in all their computers as well. Dell is the only company willing to do a VOLUNTARY recall to protect its customers. Sony and Apple refused. Dell is the only one taking responsibility for its product. Sony made the battery and even they aren't recalling it, they put it in more laptops than Dell did. Do you want to buy from a company that will fix its mistakes or do you want to buy from a company that refuses to acknowledge them? Dell is the only company in the industry doing the right thing and you people are completely oblivious to the danger the other companies are putting you in.
I looked at Dell when I was shopping for a notebook PC but instead decided on HP Pavillion ze5200, more product for the money. I've had no problems with it even though it's been dropped 2 ft onto concrete (while running). I also messed up once and left it on for 30 minutes zipped up in the carry case, it was nearly too hot to touch but worked just fine once set out on a table and plugged into the AC adapter.
Dude skip the Dell.
It does make an interesting point of what if one 'exploded' on a plane.
Are they allowing 'notebooks' on planes after the UK scare?
Passionately Flaming
This battery thing is a nightmare, but its not just a Dell problem. It is a sony made battery that is used in a variety of systems....just Dell is the only company doing anything about it. So you bag on Dell for doing the right thing, what do you have to say to your computer company when they do nothing?
Its Dell Hell!
Dell laptops need to be banned on Airplanes.
http://www.laptopbatteryclub.com/
Dude, you're getting a Dell... oh wait... the warehouse just exploded. (joke)
plese give me a price and attechment picture dell
p4 2007 laptop thank for u .....................................................................................................................................................................