HP recalls 135,000 laptop battery packs

HP is recalling 135,000 laptop computer battery packs sold worldwide, due to reports they have overheated or melted.

Around two percent, or 2700 packs, are affected in the Asia-Pacific region and an unknown number in Australia.

The lithium ion rechargeable packs affect a range of HP and Compaq business and consumer notebooks. The HP/Compaq business notebooks model numbers NC6000, NC8000, NW8000, NX5000, NX9000, NX9010, NX9050 and NX9100 are all affected.

The HP Pavilion ZV5000, ZE5000 and Z4000 as well as the Presario R3000, 2100 and 2500 consumer notebooks are also affected by the recall.

The recalled packs have barcode labels starting with GC, IA, L0 or L1.

HP had received 16 reports of overheating with four cases occurring in the US.

The packs were sold around the world from March 2004 through to May 2005.

An HP Australia spokesperson said local channel partners should tell affected customers to call 131047 or go to www.hp.com/support/batteryreplacement.

Replacement packs should arrive within seven to 10 days, the spokesperson said.

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