Lenovo Recalls 160,000 Fire Risk PCs

Lenovo is voluntarily recalling more than 160,000 of its all-in-one ThinkCentre PCs which have a power supply that  can burst into flames.

The recall affects a number of ThinkCentre M70z and M90z systems sold worldwide between May 2010 and January 2012, and is being carried out in cooperation with the US Product Safety Commission (UPSC).

Total Recall

The manufacturer says that the computers pose a fire hazard after receiving two reports of fire that led to damage to the system, however no incidences of injury have occurred.

Only certain systems sold during the timeframe in question are affected and customers can check whether they are affected by identifying the machine type and serial number located at the bottom of the unit. Among those affected are models with the date codes 1001 to 1012, 1101 to 1112, 001 to 012 and 101 to 112.

Lenovo recommends that users should immediately cease using an affected system and unplug the power cord. The recall is “effective immediately” and Lenovo says that it is offering a free power supply replacement for all affected units. Users can check to see whether their computer is affected by visiting a dedicated webpage and selecting their machine type and serial number.

HP was forced to recall 54,000 lithium ion batteries after they were deemed a fire hazard in May 2010, followed by another recall of 162,000 in June 2011, when a number of people began reporting incidents of injuries and burns.

In September 2010, Toshiba had to issue a recall for overheating notebooks after it received reports of the machines overheating and deforming the plastic casing area around the AC adapter plug.