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4 Million Laptop Batteries Recalled by Dell

4.1 million Sony-manufactured laptop batteries were recalled a few days a go by Dell Inc. Dell said they could overheat and cause a fire risk. The lithium-ion batteries were provided as service replacements by the Round Rock, computer manufacturer, or included with laptops from April 1, 2004 through July 18, 2006. The notebooks were sold for between $500 and $2,850, and individual batteries ranged from $60 to $180.

Dell`s recall was announced in collaboration with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. According to The Wall Street Journal the organization said it was the largest computer-related recall in its history. However, for Dell it is not the first battery recall. In December 2005, Dell recalled 22,000 batteries in the United States that could overheat and pose a fire risk.

Dell had received then three reports of batteries overheating, causing damage to a tabletop and a desktop, and minor damage to personal effects. There were no injuries. In June, a Dell laptop burst into flames during a conference in Japan. No one was hurt, and the computer maker said at the time that it was investigating. Dell asked customers to visit a special Web site to determine if their notebook