Toshiba Satellite Laptops Recalled for Burn Hazard

[mike r]

http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/204818/toshiba_satellite_laptops_recalled_for_burn_hazard.html

September 03, 2010
Toshiba Satellite Laptops Recalled for Burn Hazard

The U.S. and Canadian governments this week said that Toshiba is voluntarily recalling some Satellite laptops for posing a burn hazard to customers. Laptops could overheat and possibly melt the area around the notebook's plug-in to the AC adapter, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada said in a joint statement.

The burn hazard results from a faulty component. Laptops being voluntarily recalled include the Satellite T135, Satellite T135D and Satellite Pro T130 models. The model and part numbers are located on the bottom of the laptops, and begin with PST3AU, PST3BU, or PST3LU, according to Toshiba's support Web site

The laptops were sold in stores and through online retailers, including Toshiba's Web site, from August 2009 through August 2010 for between US$600 and $800. The hazard affects about 41,000 laptops worldwide. Toshiba has received 129 reports of either overheating or of plastic casing melting around the AC adapter plug, the CPSC and HC said. The reports included minor burn injuries and property damage.

Toshiba has released BIOS revisions for the laptops that can disable external power after failure. Toshiba said batteries cannot be recharged until the problem is fixed. Toshiba has asked customers to call the company's product support line for repairs.

[Donnachaidh]

1. thanks for posting this k&r n/t

[Junkdrawer]

2. I had to throw away a Satellite because of the crappy power plug...

It was an older model a friend gave my son. I was able to open the laptop up and resolder the plug twice, but it went completely dead on the third try. A better design is to have the plug connect to the motherboard though a cable instead of directly soldering the plug to the motherboard.

When I consider a new laptop, I won't buy Toshiba because of this issue.

[CatholicEdHead]

5. I had this issue on a eMachines laptop

right after my 3yr warranty expired. It was a awful design. I went Thinkpad after that which is a much better design. The best out there are on Macbooks/Pros, their magnetic connections do away with tripping on the cord and the stress going into the solder joints.

[rucky]

6. I've tried to fix my power plug three times, as well.

I have 5 minutes of battery life on it before it goes to e-waste permanently.

[Vehl]

3. I always thought Toshiba laptops were a cut above the rest

but apparently even they are running into some issues. but overall, i still believe Toshiba laptops to be quite hardy and long lasting...a recent poll backed up this gut feeling.

[xxqqqzme]

7. Both my laptops have been Toshibas.

The first one I bought in '97. The one I'm using now I bought in '05. I'd still be using the '97 model for word processing but I splashed ice tea on the keyboard. My current Toshiba has traveled extensively. I am thinking about getting a newer model because I am running for office and running voter files is time consuming. If I had two laptops, since we have 2 printers, we could get more done. If I do buy another, it will be a Toshiba.

[Vehl]

8. yep

I had one that lasted for a long time too...for 7 years. I plan to get another Toshiba after my current (and horrible) Dell lappy dies.


btw, good luck on your run for office! :)

[xxqqqzme]

9. Thanks, but I'm sitting in a red district so

we'll see what happens. In two years the current clown will be termed out and the district will be re-drawn. We may have a fighting chance then.

[Vehl]

10. cool.

I really hope the folks in the red districts do realize that they have been taken for a ride and vote for change

[Initech]

12. I bought a Toshiba a couple months ago and it's been a great laptop so far.

[gratuitous]

4. Bookmarking for looking up later on my Toshiba Satellite laptop

Crossing my fingers now that my house is still standing then.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

11. Typing this reply from my Toshiba Satellite laptop...

and the winning part number is...

phew...

not one of those listed above.

[EFerrari]

13. I loved mine but it only lasted about three years and for that time

I was afraid it was going to set the table on fire. But it was a nice, fast little machine. :(