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Compaq Recalls Notebook AC Adapters

Posted by michael on from the toasty! dept.

rotifer writes: "Compaq is recalling 1.4 million power adapters as fire hazards. I have one of these sitting on my living room floor right now. Compaq says in their FAQ on the subject "Compaq urges customers to discontinue use of the recalled AC adapter and to order a replacement adapter immediately." and that "We expect customers to receive their adapters within 5-10 days". Which means, of course, 5-10 days of not being able to use the computer. Has anyone had one of these things blow up on them? How dangerous is it to keep using it while waiting for the replacement part?" Only you can prevent notebook fires.

10 of 182 comments (clear)

  1. Other faulty hardware by Kozz · · Score: 4, Funny

    Where am I supposed to send the faulty keyboard that came with the laptop?

    --
    I only post comments when someone on the internet is wrong.
  2. Similar problem by MentlFlos · · Score: 5, Funny
    I had a d-link switch once that had a major meltdown. The brick got so hot is discolored the powerstrip it was plugged into. Not to mention the funny smell in the room and slight haze from the switch itself :)

    That was fun to explain to tech support....
    Techie: "What do the lights do when it turns on"
    Me: nothing, it won't turn on... all the smoke came out of it and I can't get it back in.

    I guess I know why it was so cheap :)
    (dss-5+ old style POS.. v2.0 is much better, smaller power brick and no fan in the unit)

    -paul

  3. I have one... by banuaba · · Score: 4, Funny

    I have an Armada E500s with the adaptor in question (mine says PPP003), and I have noticed that it gets really hot while I'm using it.

    I think I'm going to keep using it until I get my new one in, tho. I'll just make sure the adaptor isn't sitting on my collection of oily rags.

    --


    Brant

    Argle. Bargle.
  4. AC by ElDuque · · Score: 4, Funny

    I think slashdot would be a better place if more AC's spontaneously combusted.
    And what is Compaq writing in their notbooks about this? Why do they care?

  5. notebook of death. by donabal · · Score: 3, Funny

    first my quantum fireball harddrive, now this.

    compaq should just introduce an athlon with a quantum fireball, firewire, and no cooling devices ever.

    if it doesnt catch fire, at least it will make you sterile.

    --donabal

    --
    Safety First Day?
  6. What does Compaq have against Anonymous Cowards? by pmancini · · Score: 4, Funny

    I mean, sure AC's can be annoying at times given their propensity to flame but please. Packing them in boxes and shipping them somewhere just isn't the answer.

  7. Use a bucket of water by drodver · · Score: 4, Funny

    Until the new one arrives go ahead and use the one you have. As a precaution you'd better keep it submerged in a bucket of water, though. Then you won't have to worry about it bursting into flames! :-)

    And if you keep the water cold you can store some brew in it for easy access while computing!

    (He he)

  8. Re:don't return it! by wo1verin3 · · Score: 3, Funny

    Reminds me of the divorce comic someone sent me, as a gesture of goodwill, the husband gave the wife a brand new SUV for the divorce, then I noticed the firestone tires :)

  9. It's a feature! by mrsmalkav · · Score: 3, Funny

    At my old company, we purchased a whole slew of really damned cheap (but fast!) Toshiba laptops. The AC adapters were so hot that quite a few users were afraid to touch them. I even caught someone putting their coffee mug on top of the AC adapter to keep it warm.

    And if you call within the next 15 minutes, we'll throw in a FREE coffee warmer!

  10. No, not water! by Tom7 · · Score: 3, Funny


    Everybody knows that water conducts electricity very well, crazy man!

    You should use something less conductive, like isopropyl alcohol or gasoline.