Sony Batterys - Lenovo Recall!!!

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#31 Post by **RonS** » Sat Sep 30, 2006 12:03 am

Be very careful entering your bar code. I first entered with the letter O (oh) and the site said that my battery wasn't recalled. I re-entered with 0 (zero) and it said that it WAS affected.

alexzabr · #32 Post by **alexzabr** » Sat Sep 30, 2006 2:17 am

I nevertheless thought auto-detecttion is more reliable because it reads battery barcode ID as it is fectedh from the system. Mine reported I'm affected right away...
Will call our local service facility to confirm...

#33 Post by **archer6** » Sat Sep 30, 2006 5:00 pm

BudC wrote:
archer6 wrote:I used the automated solution "detect battery information on the system you are using".
I used this software and it said I needed a new battery but the bar code approach said no. I also called the service center and they checked the bar code and also said not affected.

I think the bar code is the only true way you can tell.

This is very interesting and I'm also beginning to wonder about the automated solution. The reason is I checked all but one of my ThinkPads with the automated solution which worked well. However when I attempted to use the automated solution on my R51e everthing went well in terms of installing the software. But then, during the last step "finnish" after which it launches the results window, that window did not appear. So I uninstalled it and reinstalled it as it says it can only be used once. If you want to check your battery a second time you must uninstall the software, reinstall it and then it runs. Same result the second time, everything installed, yet the results box would not appear.

So I simply removed the battery, copied down the bar code, reinstalled the battery, booted up and checked the bar code and it immediately came up saying the battery is not part of the recall.

#34 Post by **archer6** » Sat Sep 30, 2006 5:02 pm

Forgot to mention in my earlier post, that the Utlrabay slim batteries are not included in this recall because they are Li-Polymer which is a completely different technology as compared to Li-Ion.

christopher_wolf · #35 Post by **christopher_wolf** » Sat Sep 30, 2006 6:26 pm

archer6 wrote:Forgot to mention in my earlier post, that the Utlrabay slim batteries are not included in this recall because they are Li-Polymer which is a completely different technology as compared to Li-Ion.

Is sony an OEM supplier for those as well?

#36 Post by **archer6** » Sat Sep 30, 2006 6:33 pm

christopher_wolf wrote:
archer6 wrote:Forgot to mention in my earlier post, that the Utlrabay slim batteries are not included in this recall because they are Li-Polymer which is a completely different technology as compared to Li-Ion.
Is sony an OEM supplier for those as well?

Yes, I have one in my T60.

SkiBunny · #37 Post by **SkiBunny** » Sat Sep 30, 2006 10:58 pm

I have one of the affected Sony batteries specified on the advisory (P/N 92P1174, FRU 92P1173),

But when I fill out the online form with the serial number, or run the program that checks it automatically, it claims that my battery is not part of the recall.

Dam inconsistent!

Has anyone else had the same experience?

claudeo · #38 Post by **claudeo** » Sun Oct 01, 2006 1:11 am

The same part number covers a lot of different product batches. Not all batches are affected. That is why the serial number needs to be checked as well.

#39 Post by **archer6** » Sun Oct 01, 2006 2:00 pm

SkiBunny wrote:I have one of the affected Sony batteries specified on the advisory (P/N 92P1174, FRU 92P1173),

But when I fill out the online form with the serial number, or run the program that checks it automatically, it claims that my battery is not part of the recall.

Dam inconsistent!

Has anyone else had the same experience?

Yes, of the ThinkPads I purchased for the office there were some with Sony batteries. I found that it does indeed identify the affected batteries by the bar code on the battery. We had 4 Sony's that were eligible for the recall and a few Sony batteries that were not.

That said, I must admit that I remain a bit sceptical. However at this moment I have not researched it further as I intend to do.

Anyone else on the forum with this experience of having a Sony battery but upon entering the bar code, getting the response that the battery is not eligible for recall?

Thanks
Archer6

alexzabr · #40 Post by **alexzabr** » Sun Oct 01, 2006 2:25 pm

I just re-checked the status of mine (Sony, of course) after replace eligibility reported by automatic software. I entered the barcode and got confirmed mine is indeed affected.
So at least in my case, both automatic detection and manual did work fine.

#41 Post by **archer6** » Sun Oct 01, 2006 5:18 pm

alexzabr wrote:I just re-checked the status of mine (Sony, of course) after replace eligibility reported by automatic software. I entered the barcode and got confirmed mine is indeed affected.
So at least in my case, both automatic detection and manual did work fine.

What browser were you using?

alexzabr · #42 Post by **alexzabr** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 3:20 am

Browser ? I'm with Firefox. Doesn't matter though because the battery autodetection software downloads to the machine and gets installed and only then it can be launched to autodetect the battery (only once).
This is contrary to system and warranty info status that can be auto-fetched by Lenovo online indeed, and in this case in order to make it work I had to launch IE instead of Firefox.

MobileGuru · #43 Post by **MobileGuru** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 10:55 am

You are going to see Sony batteries that require recall, and other Sony batteries that don't. Part number alone doesnt confirm the requirement for recall, as it is related to specific batches of batteries manufactured between specific periods of time.

#44 Post by **underclocker** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 7:12 pm

The replacement battery for my T40, which I picked up in January, has been "affected". A new one is on the way. My old one, made by Sanyo, is not "affected". Too bad!

#45 Post by **archer6** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 8:00 pm

alexzabr wrote:Browser ? I'm with Firefox. Doesn't matter though because the battery autodetection software downloads to the machine and gets installed and only then it can be launched to autodetect the battery (only once).

Yes I was aware that the software downloads to the machine for one time use, as I read all about the procedure before moving forward. I mainly use Firefox, but for Lenovo autodetect tasks & downloads I always use IE.

alexzabr wrote:This is contrary to system and warranty info status that can be auto-fetched by Lenovo online indeed, and in this case in order to make it work I had to launch IE instead of Firefox.

This proves my point above re: using IE for the task.

However, I asked the question out of curiosity. I have a friend across the country that said he was able to use Opera and it did the job. However when I tried it on one of my other ThinkPads it would autodetect, download, install and run the software until the last task which is to create a window with the results in it. At that point it stalled and would not report if it was an affected battery or not. Just a blank screen. Very interesting. Repeated testing (after uninstalling the battery software) replicated the same result.

Then I switched to using IE and had an even more interesting experience. I began the process and it too autodected, installed the software, ran the software and stalled for a few minutes, finally the last window appeared saying the battery was not affected, and when I looked the title bar of the window it said Firefox! An alt + tab command revealed that indeed IE and Firefox were running concurrenly at that point. Neither browser was designated as the default browser. Yet at the very last moment instead of IE bringing up the last window, it autolaunched Firefox.

At that point, I uninstalled the battery check software and started fresh, just to see if it would do it again, and it did. I have four 60 series ThinkPads that needed to be checked for battery status. They all have the same software configuration, and yet only this one machine deviated and launched Firefox with IE already running the routine. All the rest ran fine from start to finnish with IE.

Aliens....

zverg · #46 Post by **zverg** » Wed Oct 11, 2006 5:44 pm

NOT FREAKING COOL! I got my new 6-cell battery today, and it's design capacity is.. 40,000mWh. SUCKS, my old one was 48 or 49. Here's my problem.. the full charge capacity is 31,000mWh.

I'm about to hurt someone. I've been without a battery for weeks, and now I get one and it's anemic compared to the worn out old battery that got recalled.

zverg · #47 Post by **zverg** » Wed Oct 11, 2006 5:56 pm

False alarm.. notebook hardware control just sucks. I've uninstalled it and just reverted to the Lenovo software.

NHC reported it as a SONY battery too.

The Lenovo software reports:
SANYO
Manufactured 2006.09.27
Li-Ion
Design Capacity 51.84Wh
10.80V

Full Charge Capacity: 54Wh.
0 cycles.. wow I better cherish this moment hahaha. Maybe I'll shut down the laptop to let it charge faster.. 25 watts charge rate right now

#48 Post by **draco2527** » Wed Oct 11, 2006 11:12 pm

LOL!

Well out of the TWO 9-cell batteries that I have (one with 12 cycles and the other with 7!!) only one is recalled..ticked, since they are almost like new...should have my "new" battery in 6 to 8 weeks

I had a few 6 cell ones, but I tossed them out a few months back..the runtime was horrible, anyways I have been using mainly the tablet, the poor ThinkPad has been collecting dust..my Toshiba battery used to last about 3 hours, now I consider myself lucky if I get 2!! Maybe that one is recalled as well..going to check...

I better get a battery that has the same rating for a replacement...this is the highest they made for the T4X series

#49 Post by **underclocker** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 8:54 am

zverg, you probably freaked out a lot of people. I was afraid of that, too. My Sony had all sorts of great spec.'s.

Thanks for the quick clarification.

Let's hope someone recalls the old Sanyo's!

alexzabr · #50 Post by **alexzabr** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 9:09 am

BTW, guys, I may be wrong, but somehow I've got the feeling the batteryes eligible for the recall are only those covered by their respective warranty, i.e. even if your battery is Sony-made and technically ought to replaced, Lenovo will not replace them for free...
Hope I'm wrong though...

zverg · #51 Post by **zverg** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 9:55 am

alexzabr wrote:BTW, guys, I may be wrong, but somehow I've got the feeling the batteryes eligible for the recall are only those covered by their respective warranty, i.e. even if your battery is Sony-made and technically ought to replaced, Lenovo will not replace them for free...
Hope I'm wrong though...

You are. My battery was more than a year old. A recall such as this one works the same way a car recall does. It is a recall because there is a safety risk, so no matter what they will replace it if it is in the bad batch.

zverg · #52 Post by **zverg** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 9:56 am

underclocker wrote:zverg, you probably freaked out a lot of people. I was afraid of that, too. My Sony had all sorts of great spec.'s.

Thanks for the quick clarification.

Let's hope someone recalls the old Sanyo's!

Yeah I hope lithium polymer batteries start blowing up.. my Sanyo ultrabay slim battery is down to like 6000mWh now :'(

alexzabr · #53 Post by **alexzabr** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 10:05 am

zverg wrote:
alexzabr wrote:BTW, guys, I may be wrong, but somehow I've got the feeling the batteryes eligible for the recall are only those covered by their respective warranty, i.e. even if your battery is Sony-made and technically ought to replaced, Lenovo will not replace them for free...
Hope I'm wrong though...
You are. My battery was more than a year old. A recall such as this one works the same way a car recall does. It is a recall because there is a safety risk, so no matter what they will replace it if it is in the bad batch.

This is likely to be the case, though someone here complained he has been refused to replace the old battery (that ought to be recalled) for free, but aside of being out of warranty he has over 200 cycles on it, so perhaps the refusal followed his info on battery wear itself..

#54 Post by **underclocker** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 10:14 am

Two weeks later, I have my new battery. Very nice.

Since we are required to return the old batteries, another question is raised. Is it safe for DHL to be transporting all of these recalled batteries? Presumably, some will travel via air, train and truck.

When you mail something from the window at a post office, you are always asked if you are shipping something potentially flammable or hazardous. I'm thinking that's a yes for batteries under recall!

Just a thought.

johhn14 · #55 Post by **johhn14** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 10:03 am

A question for those who have received their replacements...

Did you get the prepaid mailer to send your old battery back before receiving your new one or do they come at the same time?

I was under the impression they sent the mailer immediately for you to return the battery, but I haven't gotten that yet.

I placed my request on Oct 4, and since then, my recalled battery has actually stopped functioning. "Irreparable errors have been detected"

#56 Post by **underclocker** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 11:33 am

A prepaid return label comes in the box with the new replacement battery. You just drop your old battery in the same box, seal box, apply prepaid return label, and call UPS for pick up.

Easy.

johhn14 · #57 Post by **johhn14** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 12:57 pm

Great. Thank you

#58 Post by **draco2527** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 10:29 pm

draco2527 wrote:LOL!

Well out of the TWO 9-cell batteries that I have (one with 12 cycles and the other with 7!!) only one is recalled..ticked, since they are almost like new...should have my "new" battery in 6 to 8 weeks

I had a few 6 cell ones, but I tossed them out a few months back..the runtime was horrible, anyways I have been using mainly the tablet, the poor ThinkPad has been collecting dust..my Toshiba battery used to last about 3 hours, now I consider myself lucky if I get 2!! Maybe that one is recalled as well..going to check...

I better get a battery that has the same rating for a replacement...this is the highest they made for the T4X series

Got it today! Little over 4 weeks!Same specs as the Sony one!

cb474 · #59 Post by **cb474** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 1:56 pm

It's too bad it's the Sony batteries that have the problem. I've had a Pansonic battery, a Sanyo one, and a Sony one. The Sony one fits in the computer the best, all the other ones rock back and forth a little. So I always thought of my Sony battery as the "best" manufactured one (except for this problem of bursting into flames, I guess

)

Why is there so much focus on Sony anyway? Are they really having more problems than other manufacturers? I thought the bursting into flames risk was general to lithium ion batteries, had happened with cell phones, etc., and not particular to Sony. I actually had my Panasonic battery fail, with the "irreparable errors" message. It just shut off suddenly when I was working, cutting power to my computer instantly and that was that (but I guess it did not burst into flames).

Ken Fox · #60 Post by **Ken Fox** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 3:16 pm

cb474 wrote:It's too bad it's the Sony batteries that have the problem. I've had a Pansonic battery, a Sanyo one, and a Sony one. The Sony one fits in the computer the best, all the other ones rock back and forth a little. So I always thought of my Sony battery as the "best" manufactured one (except for this problem of bursting into flames, I guess )

Why is there so much focus on Sony anyway? Are they really having more problems than other manufacturers? I thought the bursting into flames risk was general to lithium ion batteries, had happened with cell phones, etc., and not particular to Sony. I actually had my Panasonic battery fail, with the "irreparable errors" message. It just shut off suddenly when I was working, cutting power to my computer instantly and that was that (but I guess it did not burst into flames).

I can't speak to Sony but it is a very serious risk especially on airplanes; a lot of laptops spend a lot of time on planes, and fire on a plane is just about the worst thing that can happen.

A front page Wall Street Journal article from a few months ago started out with the story of a Lufthansa plane on the runway at some airport in the US, when smoke and heat were sensed coming out of an overhead bin. The flight attendant opened the bin and there was an inferno coming out of a laptop briefcase. The front door of the plane was emergently opened and the briefcase heaved out onto the runway, where it exploded into a fireball.

At first they thought of terrorism but it turned out to be some knockoff ebay-purchased lithium battery in a German businessman's laptop that spontaneously combusted.

If that had happened midflight, a whole bunch of people could have been KILLED.

Sony Batterys - Lenovo Recall!!!

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