Dell Recalls Millions of AC Adaptors

matgyver writes "Both CNET and CNN are reporting that Dell is recalling 4.4 million AC adapters worldwide. About 990,000 of those were sold to US consumers, 1.5 million to US businesses, and the rest where outside the US. The adapters were sold with laptops between 1998 and 2002 and included Dell's Latitude, Inspiron, and Precision laptops. The part numbers for the adapters are 9364U, 7832D and 4983D. Apparently the adapters run the risk of overheating and can be a fire and electrocution risk."

Comments

This probably explains.........

[ARRRLovin]

.....the 2 mainboard replacements I had done on my Inspiron 4150.

AC only?

[Jhon]

AC Adaptors? I wish DELL would recall their low-profile workstations. In one year, we've had a 50% HD failure rate. At two years, 90%. That's not an exaggeration. Yeah, they replace them quickly -- but it's a pain to remove and replace the HD and restore the system from an image. Yes, it's do-able, but when it needs to be done 2 or 3 times a month? Sometimes more? Come on! Dell refuses to acknowlege the problem -- they just happily replace the HD evertime it fails.

I'm fairly certain it's a heat/ventilation problem with the case. I've got one I use for remote access in our server room -- I've left the case open. It's been running 24/7 for 2+ years.

I don't think this is a new problem.

[RealAlaskan]

I had to return an inspiron AC adapter because it was smoking, back around 1998. Had the same problem with a zip drive adapter about that time, too, come to think of it.

I wonder why it took them so long to get around to doing something about it? I guess that having equipment burst into flames (ok, I'm exaggerating a bit) dowsn't hurt sales.

Wow.

[American AC in Paris]

You'd think they'd have a bit better luck working with technology that's been around since '86.

1886, that is.