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IBM To Repair Smoking Monitors

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the well-isn't-that-nice-of-them dept.

Rio writes "A local6.com story says IBM is recalling to repair 56,000 G51 and G51t computer monitors because the circuit board can overheat and smoke, posing a fire hazard. IBM has received several reports of monitors overheating and smoking, including one report of minor property damage, according to the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Comission." And I thought all that smoke was just my mobo overheating.

6 of 193 comments (clear)

  1. Well that's corporate civic-mindedness! by Tofino · · Score: 3, Insightful

    If only tobacco companies would be as obliging!

  2. Nice to hear by stratjakt · · Score: 5, Insightful

    It's good that a company actually has the balls to recall a faulty product. It's kind of a shame that it has to be a fire hazard to make it happen, and not poor quality. I guess it's the lawyers who made the call, fearing wrongful death suits when some kid dies of inhalation while playing UT.

    The PC market is flooded with second rate, faulty, poorly designed and nonfunctional hardware.

    I once had an NEC monitor that burned out on me, had it replaced, that one burned out, replaced again, that one burned out ad nauseum - 5 in a row. By the 6th, they had stopped manufacturing them and I got a different one, which still works fine today.

    I knew the monitor was designed poorly, they knew it was designed poorly (they only made 'em for like 6 months). Wouldnt a recall have been easier and cheaper than cross shipping me 5 replacements in a row?

    Oh well. I just wish there were more corporations willing to stand behind their merchandise.

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    1. Re:Nice to hear by DJ+FirBee · · Score: 3, Insightful

      //I knew the monitor was designed poorly, they knew it was designed poorly (they only made 'em for like 6 months). Wouldnt a recall have been easier and cheaper than cross shipping me 5 replacements in a row?//

      The answer is no. If they had a recall they would have to recall every monitor not just yours. If it would have been cheaper, they would have done it like that. They are a company with accountants and what not. They know what is cheaper.

      IBM is doing it's recall no doubt because they fear litigation. IBM did not recall it's crappy GNX series hard drives that fell apart, because they would not catch fire and expose IBM to a lawsuit.

  3. fire? by _ph1ux_ · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I'd say they were more of a water risk....

    If you have a smoke detection system that will set off sprinklers in the event of smoke....

    then all your machines are Toast!

  4. Wouldn't it be cheaper to just replace them? by brickbat · · Score: 3, Insightful

    These things are ancient. I've gone through at least two monitors since the G51 was introduced. And a decent new 17" monitor is about $120. Seems like it would be cheaper for IBM to just give owners a credit towards a new monitor.

    Perhaps IBM is banking on the fact that most of these dinosaurs are sitting on a shelf somewhere because their tubes blew out long ago. I know I wouldn't bother getting a 6-year-old 15" monitor fixed, even if it was for free.

  5. Don't let IBM change the subject! by Provocateur · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Focus, guys, focus! Thinkpad Batteries!

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