Acer issues melting laptop recall

happygeek 0 433 Views

Some 22,000 Acer Aspire Notebooks are being recalled because, according to the , they represent a burn hazard.

Mainly because they have the potential to melt.

Hot laptops are nothing new, of course, but generally speaking the seat of the fire risk is often to be found in the battery compartment. Not so with the Acer Aspire recall. Instead, according to the recall notice the "microphone cable may overheat when extreme pressure is applied repeatedly to the left palm rest" which can lead to the case becoming "deformed and the system may malfunction". In other words the microphone wire can short circuit and overheat.

Acer has apparently learned of three incidents of short circuiting which has resulted in the melting of the external notebook casings, none of which happened within the US and none of which caused injury. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is advising consumers that they should stop using these notebooks immediately unless otherwise instructed.

The affected units are Acer Aspire models AS3410, AS3810T, AS3810TG, AS3810TZ and AS3810TZG manufactured prior to September 15, 2009 and you can check to determine if yours needs to get sent back for repair/replacement by entering your unit details .

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As noted, an official recall was announced. The following practical, safety-first advice fills gaps that often matter most to owners: what to do immediately, how to document the problem, and how to prepare a unit (and your data) before sending it for repair.

  • If you notice unusual heat, smell, warping, or electrical arcing: shut down, unplug the AC adapter, and, if the battery is easily removable, remove it and place it on a non-flammable surface. Do not prod, pry, or continue using a device that shows physical damage. If you see smoke or fire, evacuate and call emergency services.
  • Photograph the device (serial/model label plus closeups of any damage), note the purchase date and retailer, and save receipts or invoice images. Those records are the strongest evidence for a recall repair or replacement.
  • Do not attempt internal repairs yourself. Short circuits and thermal damage can be hazardous and may void a recall remedy if the unit has been tampered with.

Before sending a device in: back up all data and, if possible, make a full disk image. Remove or encrypt sensitive files and keep copies of communications (RMA numbers, support emails, shipping receipts). Ask the manufacturer or authorized service center for written instructions about shipping, whether they'll provide a loaner, expected turnaround, and whether repairs are free under the recall.

Years later: keep the repair record with the machine and disclose any recall history if you sell or transfer the device. If a manufacturer is slow to respond, contact your national consumer-safety agency for guidance. Following official instructions and preserving documentation will make the recall process far smoother and reduce safety risk.

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