Dell Latitude C600 Explodes

[Nomad559]

Dell Latitude C600 Explodes

A family today revealed how they narrowly escaped injury when a laptop computer exploded in their home.

The incident, at a house in Eskdale Road, Hinckley, sent small batteries from the device around the room, setting fire to carpets and a settee.

The family of six, including a 12-year-old boy who had suffered a scalding accident a few days previously, were terrified.

Computer manufacturer Dell recently recalled a range of their laptops after overheating incidents.

[napi21]

1. Does anyone know if this is happening to other laptops?

I read something the other day thatmany other brands of laptops use the same batteries as Dell does. What makes the Dell unique?

[Nomad559]

2. Yes, other laptops use the same type of battery

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=233x3933

:)

[dsc]

3. Apple has had a recall too

Evidently it is Sony's problem. I have no idea how many other laptops use these batteries.

[magellan]

4. This article says it has to do with the system configuration

Sony battery problems could go beyond Dell laptops

snip...

The risk depends on the system configuration, said Uehara. A short-circuit inside the battery typically renders the battery useless, but in some cases it can cause fires like the ones reported to Dell.

Factors that play into this equation include whether the battery cells are aligned in parallel or perpendicular order, and their proximity to heat sources like the processor and power supply, a Sony spokesman in the U.S. said yesterday.

[Sven77]

5. if you want to speed up your dell

and get rid of the bloatware try

PC De-Crapifier 1.51
http://majorgeeks.com/PC_De-Crapifier_d5223.html

[muriel_volestrangler]

6. Recent genuine Dell ad (via this week's Private Eye magazine)

Dell - Weekend Scorchers!