Posted on 07/10/2006 9:21:04 AM PDT by FormerACLUmember
AN INQUIRER READER attending a conference in Japan was sat just feet away from a laptop computer that suddenly exploded into flames, in what could have been a deadly accident.
Gaston, our astonished reader reports: "The damn thing was on fire and produced several explosions for more than five minutes".
Should you witness such an event, his advice is, "Don't try anything courageous/stupid, stay away, away, away!"
"For the record, this is a Dell machine," notes Gaston. "It is only a matter of time until such an incident breaks out on a plane," he suggests.
Our witness managed to catch all the action in these amazing pictures.
"Fire extinguishers leave a mess on your suit and belongings; pack your stuff (if you can) and leave, leave, leave!" he advises.
We don't have any further details of the model of the computer in question. In light of the evidence, however, we'd suggest you avoid actually using a laptop on your lap. Ouch.
Perhaps the fellow at the next table had just received a "Mission Impossible" assignment.
I am a big fan of HP laptops. My first gave me no trouble for a year and half (at which point it was struck by lightning, which was not HP's fault); my current one has given me no trouble period.
I read that something similar happened last year only it was in a home and the laptop had been left on overnight. Those things can get really hot; that's why they sell those cooling pads for laptops now. They also suggested that you place your laptop on a solid surface where air can circulate underneath.
Build it myself???????
Heck James...I still need to get my 13 year old son to set up the dvd or vcr if I want to watch a movie! :o)
Or maybe they tried to put Linux on it, and maybe the WGA has a "computer self-destruct mechanism" if you try to install Linux. :)
The genuine Dell battery on my laptop was always a piece of crap. It lasted for about as long as it took to start the computer up and stayed charged long enough for you to shut down properly if you lost power. It finally died and I never replaced it.
I'm disappointed with the battery's performance. It is only capable of illuminating the screen about 50% (my best guess) of what I get when it is plugged in.
I'm so afraid of having something spilled on it that I just leave it at my desk all the time.
Overall, however, I am impressed with the pavilion's performance, features and reliability. The HD widescreen is incredible. I can't comment on the Wi-Fi as I haven't hardly used it at all. I've got the card and the wireless firewall router, just don't find the need to use it as of yet.
This is my first laptop and I bought it at Best Buy. I always feel like they're skinning me when I go in to buy a high ticket item. The big torture is to decide to purchase the service plan.
I guess it's better to be safe than sorry.
Note to self: Do not plug Dell Laptop into 220v outlet!
oops...
"Looked like a C610" should have been D610
You know a source of laptop parts?? A case and power supply would be good.
: )
I was hoping someone more knowledgable would supply a correction but, if memory serves me right, that would be current limiting circuit....
You're probably correct about the nomenclature (voltage vs. current).
That being said, I do have a fair amount of experience using lithium batteries in an extreme environment (electric R/C model airplanes. See: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=209187).
If you charge a LI battery over 4.2v per cell, they'll puff & explode.
If you discharge a LI battery below 3.0v per cell, they'll puff & explode.
If you charge them at a rate higher than 1C (capacity of the cell(s)), they'll puff and explode.
If you puncture them or damage them, they'll puff and/or explode.
In short, lithium batteries are a lot more volatile than either nicad or nimh batteries and need to be treated with a certain measure of respect.
Most consumer-level LI batteries are sold with a protective circuit that prevents over/under voltage situations from occurring. Most third-party LI batteries are sold without this circuit, which is why the OEM pack costs $50 and the third party pack costs $30.
Where most people have problems with consumer-level LI batteries is when buying the cheap replacement batteries. These cheap replacement batteries do not have the protective circuitry which prevents over/undervoltage problems. Hence, the news stories of cell phones exploding while in use, being dropped, etc.
Below is a photo taken during just such an event where a hobby-level Lithium polymer (really Lithium Ion Polymer) battery was deliberately charged at a higher voltage.
Correction:
This photo shows a battery deliberately charged at a voltage higher than 4.2v.
In short, LI batteries are sensative to both voltage and current. Unlike a nicad, which will simply *pop*, a LI battery ignites. Several hobbyists have had their cars/trucks burned to the ground when charging their batteries inside their vehicle. While no one has lost their house, several have come close.
If you go down the thread to which I linked in the previous post, you can see videos of the process. The dense white smoke generated prior to the fire is both toxic and corrosive.
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