Compaq Computer on Thursday issued a worldwide voluntary recall of 1.4 million AC adapters that have been used in certain Compaq notebooks, due to a problem that can cause the adapters and powercords to overheat.
Because of the potential fire hazard, Compaq launched the recall and replacement program, though there have only been five reported cases of actual adapter malfunction so far, Compaq said in a statement.
The problem is with the AC adapters, not the notebooks themselves, and users are being urged to stop using the recalled AC adapters and to order a replacement adapter immediately, Compaq said.
The AC adapters were produced by "only one of the multiple manufacturers used by Compaq but the problem is specific to Compaq," said Robyn Garratt, a Compaq spokeswoman in the U.K. The company declined to name the maker of the AC adapter, which was sold as a separate option, as replacement parts and with certain notebook computers.
Notebooks affected include Armada models versions M300, M700, E500, 110, E500s, V300, 100s and 3500, Prosignia models versions 170 and 190, and 100 series Notebook models, Compaq said.
Exceptions are Presario 800 models sold in South Korea, Prosignia 170 and 190 models sold in Taiwan and Hong Kong and Armada 110 models sold in Japan, Garratt said.
"The AC adapter consists of a small rectangular black AC adapter box that has a permanently attached cord on one end to connect to the computer and a detachable cord on the other end to plug into an AC outlet," Garratt said.
The AC adapters have model series numbers PPP003SD, PPP003 and PP2012 (Armada 3500 only) and can be found directly under the Compaq Computer name on the AC adapter label, the company said.
More information on the recall and replacement program can be found at http://www.compaq.com/products/notebooks/adapterrecall.