SONY VAIO

Friday September 5, 2008

Sony recalls some Vaio portables

KUALA LUMPUR : If you are using a Sony Vaio VGN-TZ notebook computer, you will need to check if the model is among the 438,000 portables being recalled worldwide by the Japanese manufacturer.

The voluntary recall of the products is due to a potential hazard that could cause the notebooks to overheat and possibly catch fire.

Sony Malaysia said customers here should go to the company website — http://tinyurl.com/5kb2tr — to check the list of affected Vaios and to find out what they should do if their notebook model is listed.

Affected customers will benefit from free service inspection and repairs at the Sony Service Centre here, the company said.

Reuters has reported that this is one of the biggest computer recalls in the world since 2006 when Dell recalled 4.1 million notebook computer batteries because they could overheat and catch fire.

It also reported that Sony has received 15 reports of overheating, including one of a consumer who suffered a minor burn.

The flaw is found in Sony’s VGN-TZ100, VGN-TZ200, VGN-TZ300 and VGN-TZ2000 series computers.

According to the Reuters report, the problem is related to “irregularly positioned wires near the computer’s hinge and/or dislodged screw inside the hinge” that can cause a short circuit and overheat.

Sony has initiated a voluntary programme to perform a free inspection and, if necessary, a repair to ensure these units meet its high-quality standards.

The Reuters report said Sony has been dogged in recent years by recalls of laptop computer batteries amid concerns they would overheat and catch fire.

In 2006, Dell, Apple, Lenovo, Toshiba and some other PC makers recalled more than eight million Sony batteries, the report said.

Sony, said Reuters, declined to comment on the potential cost it will incur to repair the computers.

SOURCE: http://star-techcentral.com