[SGVLUG] Burning laptop anyone?

[Greg Stark]

Sean,
I would think if the unit is UL approved, UL has liability in this case.
They tested the unit in some way.  I would make a claim to both companies.

There wasn't a warning sticker on the thing was there? Or something written
in the Owners manual?

Replacement: http://www.erpcsales.com/  Buy Used, saved money.

Greg 

> -----Original Message-----
> From: sgvlug-bounces at sgvlug.net [mailto:sgvlug-bounces at sgvlug.net] On
> Behalf Of Sean O'Donnell
> Sent: Wednesday, August 30, 2006 12:34 AM
> To: SGVLUG Discussion List.
> Subject: Re: [SGVLUG] Burning laptop anyone?
> 
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> Todd Cranston-Cuebas wrote:
> > I can see why the photos are funny, but in reality it's really not that
> > funny.
> 
> The video w/ the japanese guy and the exploding dell was funny, the one
> w/ the architect guy whose laptop almost torched the office was sorta
> funny, but more scary if anything, but the thought of an unattended
> laptop catching fire and burning down an entire house is not funny at all.
> 
> Especially when you hear the company whose product was the cause, ditch
> all responsibility of accountability and try to make you feel ignorant
> for not knowing something that 'they' claim 'everyone' should know.
> 
> > I tried this on my IBM laptop from work and when placed on a normal
> > shag carpet, the heat did really build up fast. I'm not sure that it
> would
> > burst into flames, or even melt, but I wouldn't want to test it out
> again.
> 
> I have a ProStar 3724 Laptop and it gets really hot.
> 
> http://www.pro-star.com/index.cfm?mainpage=productdetail&model=3724
> 
> I've had it for about a year and a half, and have been running it almost
> 24/7 (it rarely leaves my house), and I even leave it running when I'm
> not around, but I try to keep the room temperature cool, although a fan
> can only do so much in a 2nd story apt. in this heat.
> 
> The laptop itself does get pretty hot, and I'd like to have kids some
> day, so I don't dare use it on my lap w/out a pillow, but when I put it
> on a pillow, or on my bed even, it traps the heat as they were saying,
> and gets 'really' hot.
> 
> This was something I realized by using it, not something that I would
> consider 'common knowledge' amongst ALL laptop owners.
> 
> There is an area on the hand rest part where my left hand usually rubs
> against when I type, and it is rather discolored. I think it's obvious
> that the friction of my hand rubbing against it, ALONG with the heat,
> have been the cause, unless it is just from the heat alone, not sure,
> but the right-side where my hand usually rubs against, isn't discolored
> at all, so it could just be the heat.
> 
> All these recent incidents have made me question whether I should
> continue to leave it running when I'm not around. I'm not sure if it use
> s a Sony Battery (like the exploding dells) or not, but it may be about
> time I looked into that, and started powering-down when I leave for work
> or zzZZzz @ night.
> 
> > I now have a nice brown spot on a beautiful pure white carpet and a
> melting
> > machine. It really could have been a disaster.
> >
> > Fujitsu's response was less than adequate.
> >
> 
> I think these companies need to be held FULLY accountable for such
> disasters.
> 
> I've heard of things like: 'don't use it on your lap if you want to have
> kids, it will sterilize your sperm from the heat' etc, but never about
> floors causing heat traps and fires.
> 
> Although, with the amount of heat my laptop gives off, it doesn't
> surprise me. However, I have left it running on my floor for days on end
> and have yet to have a prob. *knock on wood*
> 
> Anyhow, sorry to hear, Todd. =/
> 
> I'll be sure to (continue to) not to purchase their products in the
> future!
> 
> - --
> 
> Sean O'Donnell
> South Pasadena, CA
> sean at seanodonnell.com
> http://seanodonnell.com
> 
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