HP recalls 70,000 notebook batteries

HP is voluntarily recalling 70,000 lithium-ion batteries that shipped with several models of its HP and Compaq notebooks, after two reports of flaming notebook batteries.

The worldwide recall, announced on Thursday, affects nine models of HP Pavilions, nine models of Compaq Presarios, two models of HPs and one HP Compaq notebook model sold between August 2007 and March 2008. HP has posted a list of affected machines on its Battery Replacement Program site.

HP is instructing consumers who may be part of the recall to remove the battery from their notebook and contact the PC maker to find out if theirs is affected. The company said it will provide a free replacement battery. Customers can use the AC adapter to power the notebook until the replacement battery arrives, HP said.

There were two separate reports of batteries that "overheated and ruptured, resulting in flames/fire that caused minor property damage" but no injuries, according to a report from the US's Consumer Product Safety Commission, which is cooperating with HP on the matter.

HP is the world's largest computer vendor, and like many of its peers in the industry has been part of several similar battery recalls. The most recent incident involved Sony-made batteries faulted for overheating late last year. HP had sold 32,000 of the affected batteries in its laptops. But that was tiny by comparison to the massive recall caused by Sony batteries in 2006.