Posted on 07/18/2004 7:59:18 AM PDT by Libloather
Serious defects hit cell phone batteries, computer parts
From wire reports
July 18, 2004
Hundreds of thousands of computer parts and cell phone batteries have been recalled in recent weeks because of serious defects.
No. 1 PC maker Dell recalled 38,000 Auto/Air Power Adapters connecting laptops to power outlets in cars and planes. Users may get shocked if they plug the wrong cord into the adapter.
No. 2 PC maker Hewlett-Packard is recalling the memory component of 900,000 laptops over a problem that can make them crash or lose data. H-P blames memory-makers Micron Technology, Samsung, Infineon Technologies and Winbond. It says other PC makers should have the same problem. But Dell, IBM and Gateway say their computers appear fine or were fixed before shipping.
No. 1 cell phone carrier Verizon Wireless is recalling 50,000 replacement cell phone batteries for LG phones that overheat and may burst. The problem appears most often when customers use after-market recharging cords. Verizon also blames a vendor that it says sold counterfeit batteries.
No. 1 chipmaker Intel is recalling early shipments of a new set of PC chips. Intel won't say how many. But analysts estimate hundreds of thousands of chipsets are affected. These chips are not PC processors, but secondary chips that help other parts work together. Computers with the chips may not boot or work in other ways.
Most of the chipsets did not get to consumers; they were sitting in PC factories waiting to be installed. PC buyers should not be affected.
That could ruin your day, and your phone...
I just retired my Motorola V-60 for a new Sony-Ericsson T637. I hope it works as well.
I don't see Apple mentioned with their powerbook g4 laptop battery problems. (unable to charge the $129 battery).
Nice move, trying to take out the after-market parts suppliers. From the recall notice, it looks like the "counterfeit" parts were incorporated into legit batteries which would make the problem a QC issue at LG. Never underestimate the power of companies to take advantage of situations like these. Remember when the airlines took advantage pre-9/11 of security concerns to match ID with ticket and kill off your ability to sell a ticket you couldn't use? And now you pay through the nose for even a minor flight change.
This might be of interest.
In general, the way we power the mobile devices we use is like installing a hamster cage in a Cadillac. Battery technology is way behind the curve.
Those darn "smart batteries" have chips so that they don't overcharge, but they must be stored discharged or they start to get confused. Try running it out to the end, then keep re-booting without the power cords to really empty the battery. Once it's truly empty it may realize it's time to top up again.
What? No tin foil theories?
Thanks for the info..
CK Ping/hot phone alert.
There is a software "fix" for this problem and we downloaded and installed this "fix" and the battery STILL won't charge. This is a 17" Titanium G4 Powerbook laptop. ( model A1039 battery). We updated the software to the latest build OSX 10.2.8 (6R73) and STILL no go! I guess we are going to have to bite the bullet and pay Apple's outrageous price for a new battery.
Do you have a link for that battery software?
Click HERE
I have my guess...
Hmmmm....Smart, but easily confused.
When did I become a battery?
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