Notebook computer battery

ROUND ROCK, Tex. -- Dell Computer Corp. recently announced its second battery recall in eight months. The Round Rock, Tex. company is recalling 284,000 Panasonic Technologies Inc. made batteries used in its Inspiron 5000 series notebook computers. According to Tom Kehoe, a Dell spokesperson, the affected notebooks were manufactured from January through March 2000 and are no longer being sold. "There is a design and packaging flaw that can cause a condition where the battery will overcharge, then overheat, and possibly catch fire," says Kehoe. Some of the notebooks were sold in Canada, but Kehoe says he doesn't know how many.

Owners are being asked to check the battery's serial numbers against a list that will be sent to them or can be seen on Dell's Web site. Last October, batteries made by Sanyo Electric Co. were recalled after it was discovered they could short circuit and catch fire.