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

Risky?

[mfh]

Apparently the adapters run the risk of overheating and can be a fire and electrocution risk.

Oh just great.
(reaches for power supply)
Now I have to retur-{{{{ZOT}}}}

Slashdot UID #56 up for auction at Ebay -- again! Sale by family to help pay for electrical fire damage and getting the smell of crispy /. user #56 out of rug. Sale complete with charred remains of previous owner.

Re:Risky?

[kfg]

It brings a whole new meaning to the phrase, "Power to the people."

KFG

Re:Risky?

[pnutjam]

It has to have one of those numbers AND be made by DELTA in Thailand.

Re:Risky?

[Idarubicin]

Slashdot UID #56 up for auction at Ebay

Bah! The parent was just looking for an opportunity to flaunt his obscenely small UID.

Re:Risky?

[homer_ca]

I suppose you won't be buying an iPod 'cause they're made in China too. They build lots of high end name-brand gear along with the cheap crap with no QC, and it really is cheaper to build things there. You can't compete with efficient, hard-working factory workers making $.50 an hour. The economic reforms in China along with free trade agreements resulted in a booming manufacturing industry there. You have a lot more to worry about from them than cheap plastic junk.

Re:Risky?

[TomServo]

I'm wary of blaming on a specific country or people, but there is a point to this, and it all goes back to that old cliche of "you get what you pay for".

Now, this is not to say that you're just going to get a worse product out of someone. I know a number of programmers who have since moved back to India since their H1-Bs went out, and of the ones I had the pleasure to work with, the vast majority are better than most American programmers I know. However, you pay less in exchange for difficulty in communication, time differences, the lack of ability to directly oversee the process without a long flight, etc. While I do not consider myself a rabid capitalist, the reason that labor and the like is higher here in the US is because the returns/expenses involved are better. Eventually the pendulum will swing, too many events like this will happen, and jobs will start heading back to the US.

In the meantime, those who truly *want* to code or whatever for a living will continue to improve themselves and be plenty good enough to hire, and those that did it to get rich will find the next big thing to get rich on. And so it continues.

Dude!

[Shadow Wrought]

You're getting a fire!

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

[ARRRLovin]

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

Re:This probably explains.........

[DigiShaman]

As someone who worked at Dell, this does not suprise me. I've seen alot of AC Adapters shipped with the wrong laptop. Just flipped the laptop over and compare the power requirements, it's rather shocking that your AC Adapter is over worked.

Also, they ones made by Delta Electronics are utter shit. But hey, that's what Dell get's from buying shit quality from the lowest contract bidder.

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.

Re:AC only?

[Anonymous Coward]

If you are talking about the SX series of optiplex systems then you just got bad luck. They go bad about as often as any laptop HDD would. Although the SX280s use a SATA HDD drive now that is just a desktop HDD so they should last a bit longer. The real problem is on the SX270s. The motherboards have a tendancy to get hot and the capacitors will bust and leak acid. I think they fixed that with a newer version of the motherboard, but almost all the original systems sold do not have the fixed motherboards. Gotta post this as AC since I work for Dell ;)

Re:AC only?

[parcel]

I've had so many problems with my dell system, I actually memorized the service tag #. It's been over a year since I even used that system, and that number is still burned into my brain. I was using it literally every month during the lifetime of that system (inspiron 8000). NEVER another dell.

grrrrr

[FuzzzyLogik]

Ok that's it. I'm never buying another dell again. I have a Inspiron 5000e which I bought a good 3 or 4 years ago. I got it and shortly afterwards there was a battery recall, since I bought 2 batteries for it I recieved two new batteries, but they sent me 2 more extra's. Fine by me really. Now that same laptop has a power adapter recall. The battery was recalled because it was possible for it to catch fire, now this problem. No more Dell's for me, in fact I might just sell this POS on ebay and bum the problems off on someone else. It's not even worth it anymore even with 4 batteries.

For those who don't want to read the article, the link to the recall program is located at http://www.delladapterprogram.com

Re:grrrrr

[Rude Turnip]

Just go to the Tools, Options menu in Firefox. Then Web Features. Click on the "Advanced" button for Javascript. Turn off "allow websites to resize windows." There is no step 5!

Re:grrrrr

[Anonymous Coward]

Let me get this straight. You've had no problems with your laptop. They were kind enough to replace and double your batteries just to be on the safe side. Now they are willing to replace your adpator for free and you've had it with them.

Many people I know have had serious problems with laptops. You've got a great one and you'll never buy from Dell again.

No manufacturer is perfect. They've all had recalls. I prefer companies that do recalls to those that try to hide problems and lobby for tort reform.

Re:grrrrr

[ethanms]

Wait a minute... you bought a PC w/ 2 batts and they worked fine... no fires... Dell says /maybe/ they will catch fire... so here's two NEW batteries, plus ANOTHER two NEW battiees for your troubles...

Now same deal w/ the PSU... "oops, might be an issue, we've had x out of x^20 fail, so we're going to replace them all rather then risk a $1b lawsuit when some guys family burns up due to this thing"...

I'd say buy another Dell...

We got Dells

[millahtime]

We got a load of dell laptops. That means the odds must be decent that the building I work in will catch fire and burn to the ground. Huh, something to ponder while I go make sure all the laptops are plugged in and charging.

I wonder if they're made the same guys who...

[Graemee]

made the HP & Compaq adapters that were recalled.

Re:I wonder if they're made the same guys who...

[petersam]

And somebody else posted about IBM having a problem recently too. And there are many recalls associated with batteries doing the same thing. Overheating and causing fires. Part of the problem is that this AC/DC conversion and charging of batteries is inefficient enough that a lot of energy is lost as...HEAT. Too much heat or poor ventilation or cooling or poor fire resistance, etc - you get stuff that burns and explodes. I also recently read that battery technology hasn't really progressed much over the past decades. So I see two problems - 1) a drive to use the cheapest components and designs as possible increasing the risk of a poor design that burns and 2) not enough basic research into power systems. I wish someone would spend some money on that.

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.

Re:I don't think this is a new problem.

[Cthefuture]

"A new car built by my company leaves somewhere traveling at 60 mph. The rear differential locks up. The car crashes and burns with everyone trapped inside. Now, should we initiate a recall? Take the number of vehicles in the field, A, multiply by the probable rate of failure, B, multiply by the average out-of-court settlement, C. A times B times C equals X. If X is less than the cost of a recall, we don't do one."

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.

Gives a new meaning to:

[clem9796]

Man, that new laptop is hot!

IBM too

[BaldGhoti]

First IBM, now Dell? A month apart? I'm betting there's a common part inside these that's failing--it's probably not just these two companies.

Dude! You're getting a pile!

[mod_critical]

It seems that Dell quality is at it again.

Seriously, something like this happening by itself would not be a major deal, even the world's finest manufacturers have their share of problems (Firestone, Apple, SUN, etc.)

But what really puzzels me, is that I have seen Dell to continuously put out the worst quality products over and over, and yet they remain a major player in the consumer computer market. My college switched three years ago from leasing IBM laptops to Dell, and the helpdesk just started to be swamped. There are about 2200 new laptops on lease every year. The first year we had Dell Latitudes over 1/4 of them needed locic board replacements because the network connector was only held onto the board by the contact soldering points, not mounted to the case and no mounting posts on the board. 1/8 of the one's this year have already had a hard disk replaced and we've had them for two months. Also about 400 of them have had to have their screens replaced in the last 3 years (from failure not student damage).

This makes me wonder how Dell manages to be profitable (all these items were replaced under warranty) and continue to have a loyal client base (despire a much more busy, thus costly, helpdesk the college stays with Dell).

Re:Dude! You're getting a pile!

[Oliver Wendell Jones]

You're right, Dell doesn't have a choice of buying from:

Larry's House of Decent Quality Hard Drives

or

Crazy Eddie's Discount House of Crap!

It's not Dell's fault that Eddie had the lowest bid...

Re:Dude! You're getting a pile!

[mod_critical]

Well they don't make the displays or many of the other things on them that fail either, but they are responsible for the choices of those components. I'm just curious as to how those choices manage to keep them in business, I know I wouldn't by a Dell ever for any reason, because a week without a laptop because a part needs to be replaced would cost me far more than the value of the drive. So even though its covered under warranty it does me no good if I can count on it failing.

Re:Dude! You're getting a pile!

[EvilMagnus]

Dells are cheap because they save money on parts (volume, choice) and on integration costs (their industry-leading just-in-time manufacturing). They've made their business decision, and the markets tend to agree with it.

That said, I've managed laptop fleets from Dell that have had greater than 100% failure rates. The solution? Warranties. Dell's on-site waranties are pretty good (their completecare line in particular). There's no need to be down for more than a day for a hardware failure. Less, if you want to really spend the cash.

Since each service call must cost Dell at least $100 (plus parts), I assume they lost money on those laptop sales. If that happens enough, their beancounters may demand that the machines work right first time. :)

Ha! I was right!

[paragon_au]

Ha! And my friends called me an idiot when I keeped buying new batteries for my laptop instead of just recharging the old one.

Once again, I was proven right in the end.

FYI

[Fascist Christ]

http://support.dell.com/support/batteryrecall/inde x.aspx/en/main?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd

First Printers, now this...

[rosewood]

Ouch - Dell is getting hit by the recalls. I had to send back a few hundred printers that I had inherited in this job. Now Ill have a few dozen laptops.

Im suprised the laptops themselves arent recalled. I can not use these things on my person as they are just too damned hot. My A64 notebook I can use with out trouble (warm, but not burned out hot). S-r-s-l-y.

Hmm...

[mostly water]

Dell Corporate Espionage Director: 'Ok, we've gathered enough information - time to bring in the data collectors. Just make sure the recall extends well into the sectors we're interested in...'

Only those manufactured by "Delta" in Thailand

[Derling Whirvish]

Not all AC adapters with those part numbers are affected. It involves only those manufactured by Delta Electronics in Thailand. I have a 09364U but it is manufactured by Astec in China and is not recalled.

Go to this page and see if yours are the ones actually recalled.

Dell is missing an opporuntity here

[SuperKendall]

Imagine how many Dell branded fire extinguishers they could sell as add-ons to thier PC's!

They could have a check-mark on the order page right next to the "extra hard drive in a box" option for when your desktop overheating finally takes out your HD (about six months in my case).

Complexity of building switching power supplies

[angio]

I just finished reading a pretty cool book (Troubleshooting Analog Circuits) written by an engineer from National Semiconductor in 1990. His main job focus was on switching power supplies, and he commented several times in the book about the perils of underestimating the complexity of building one well, even with today's mega-modern power supplies and switching regulator ICs. Today's Dell power supply recall, and a few other recent examples, illustrates that point quite graphically.

Even in our /.'d digital world, analog design is still important. Bummer, since I'm a software person... :)

Re:Complexity of building switching power supplies

[Dielectric]

Mad Props to Bob Pease! I really enjoy his articles in EDN, as well.

As noted in the Amazon reviews, the other must-have is Art of Elelctronics by Horowitz/Hill.

Delladapter.com is down....

[cbelt3]

That didn't take long- Delladapter.com got its bad self slashdotted ! (Altho this time it prolly got the CNN effect.). You wonder about the thought process:

Dell Manager: "Crap. We need to recall a load of AC adapters".
Dell Intern: "No prob, Dude. I'll just set up a little webserver on this here Latitude CPi. Point to this one".
Dell Manager: "OK, as long as it doesn't cost anything."
Dell Intern: "Sweeet !"
Laptop: Uh. Oh. Lots of connections. Need More Power......
AC Adapter: ZZZt !

CNN: "In related news, Dell's customer support web development building burned down today..."

Obligitory Fight Club Reference

[ARRRLovin]

"A new laptop built by my company is shipped with a certain power supply. The power supply overheats and burns down an office building with everyone trapped inside. Now, should we initiate a recall? Take the number of power supplies in the field, A, multiply by the probable rate of failure, B, multiply by the average out-of-court settlement, C. A times B times C equals X. If X is less than the cost of a recall, we don't do one."

"Which company do you work for?"

"A major one."

Stock drop?

[nfsilkey]

One of my co-workers, a former Dell employee from her earlier years in industry, commented on this story. "Thats what killed the stock some years back."

As a Macintosh user...

[trudyscousin]

...who once had to endure one snide remark after another about PowerBooks being fire hazards, I suppose it can now be said that all laptop computers are cremated equal.

Re:Won't get Trolled again.

[bobbozzo]

Within the last 5 years, Taiwanese capacitor companies poorly copied an electrolyte solution from Japanese capacitor companies and there have been MANY early failures and product recalls because of this, including some by Apple, and most of the Taiwan motherboard manufacturers (Asus, ...).

With risk of fire.

Common part

[LightStruk]

First IBM, now Dell? A month apart? I'm betting there's a common part inside these that's failing--it's probably not just these two companies.

Right you are - in both cases the AC adapters were made by Delta Electronics of Thailand.

Even besides that Dell AC adapters are Crap IMO

[bogie]

I'm on my 4th one since the rest all slowly stop working working. First you have to "jiggle" the cord, then it only works it if bent a certain way, then it just stops. My latest problem is not the cable, its the 3 power prongs in the actual laptop, something is loose beyond the pin in there and now it constantly switches from AC to battery.

Of course it doesn't help that I have a shitty Inspiron 4000 series. Loose video cable behind the LCD which turns the screen Pink? Check. Mouse that goes crazy for no reason and can't be fixed? Check. Original Actiontec nic/modem which will NOT work at 100MB and is defective from the start? Check. Tech support which always refused to fix anything and just keeps insisting to run "Dell Diaganostics" over and over? Check. I'd sell this on ebay in a second but no way would I want to screw someone else that badly.

I'm sure some people out there love their Inspirons and are on their original power cords, but I'm sure as hell not one of them.

Re:Phew lucky

[aldoman]

(I know the grandparent was a joke, BTW).

Surely if you had to charge the battery _aswell_ as use the AC adapter to power the laptop, you are going to be putting much more stress on it? Therefore, you will be at risk of the capacitors going shit, and catching on fire.

It's not a bug, it's a feature!

[Mike Rubits]

Stock up now for the cold winter ahead!

Re:Dude! Your getting a lawsuit!

[parcel]

From what I've heard (and my experience with my own) there should have already been a class action suit with the Inspiron 8000's... Supposedly they were build with a bios or chipset designed for desktop systems, not laptop systems, which was quickly hacked together to provide battery power management. So, until about 30 bios revisions had been made, the systems killed batteries. I know mine lasted about 4 months before it would no longer hold a charge. Dell of course refused to replace it, even though it went bad under warranty... they'd only send me back and forth between tech support and customer service, neither of which would take responsibility for or escalate my problem.

Although, I also had to have the screen replaced twice, motherboard 3 times, hdd once, and keyboard four times. So maybe I just got a lemon. Either way, I also have an IBM thinkpad that must be 10 years old by now (it's a 486) that has never had the slightest of problems. Next time I'm in the market, IBM gets my money.

I cant find a link to the bios/chipset issue anymore... I know I read about it in a few different places. Anyone have any more info?

Obligatory references:

[Cervantes]

-"Dude, you're getting a D....ahhhhh! My arm is on fire! Ahhhh, the pain!!!"

-"Dude, you're getting a skin graft!

Ah yes, the new motto:

Dell: Now burning more innocent children alive than Microsoft!

Re:Dude! Your getting a lawsuit!

[Shadow Wrought]

very few parts are original...

Except of course, I'm guessing, the diodes up and down its left side;-)

Safety Certifications?

[NachoDaddy]

I would like to point out that the picture from CNN shows that these power supplies have just about ever safety a regulatory approval known to man, including UL, CE, and many others I can't identify.
This supports my belief that regualtory and test agencies have absolutely no control of products coming from the far east. In my position, I regularly see AC adapters that have UL file numbers stolen from other products, or even revoked numbers. Not to mention AC adpaters that have UL and CE marks that won't pass when tested by a reputable test lab.
Another unseen victim of this is US manufacturers that try and use these supplies, only to find out that they are all crap. Dell has the budget to go to Delta in Tapei and inspect the factory, but most do not.
The big problem is that there are no US federal laws on product safety. UL is a private company, and is heavily corrupt and inconsistant.
For UL to fix this, they need to:

• Have consistant enforcement worldwide
• Stop letting AC adapter manufacturers put 200 different models under one file #
• Start revoking file numbers for known violators
• Make the US Customs stop products at the ports that have the mark and shouldn't (copyright violation)

Anything short of a revolution inside UL is not going to get the job done.

Safety marks

[owlstead]

I've just counted the number of logo's on a Dell power supply; there are 20 logo's of testing organizatons for as many countries.

What exactly do these organizations do? Not one of them took a look at the power supply design and said something in the line of: "you probably shouldn't do it like that"?

Or is this one of those "lets switch components in the middle of production" stories?