Computer says...
...Waaaghhhhh! Put me out! Put me out! OOh it hurts, it hurts so!
Staff at a London-based marketing firm had a lucky escape recently, when one worker’s Apple laptop caused some serious issues for the IT department. PowerBook_fire_01 The PowerBook, shortly before it went bang Images courtesy of Vnunet The machine – thought to be a PowerBook, according to a report by the Inquirer – caught …
When a manufacturer recalls batteries and offers a free replacement it's best to take them up on that offer immediately. The company I was working for when Apple initially offered this program chose to err on the side of caution and swap every battery that was covered under the arrangement. Fortunately we never had an issues with our PowerBooks before or during the time were having them replaced. Yes it inconvenienced some of our users but after explaining to them the risks involved the complaints quickly evaporated. Oddly enough the only issue we had with over heating battery was one HP laptop, there was a sizable hole burned through the case and the user got a couple nasty burns trying to get the laptop to a safer location.
"Apple provided owners of said machines free replacement power packs. It's not known if the owner of the detonating PowerBook took the company up on its offer"
Right, and probably, like many who insist on having Macs, the owner didn't have clue #1 about their machine other than "It was, like, y'know, the silver one".
And they worked in Marketing...
R.
You're unlikely to be put in this situation, however...
Be *very* *very* careful before thinking of using a normal fire extinguisher on a lithium battery fire.
Most fire extinguishers, throwing water over it, throwing soil over it will make matters worse. If possible, leave it to burn out (after having called the relevant authorities). Essentially, it's like a chip pan fire but with a lot more energy.
Couldn't the IT guys have waited until the fire had really taken hold, and removed a few marketroids from the planet?
They should loose marks for that! Unless they caused some juicy colateral damage to the other shiny apples there.
I also not the packet of Bolvian Marching Powder disguised as 'Panadol' on the table. Nice.
The laptop starts to give off smoke, so they call the IT department ?! Well ok, they are marketing people so they can't be expected to know much.
The IT guy, having been told that the laptop (powered by a lithium battery) has been giving off smoke, then 'gives it a once-over' and puts it back on the desk (presumably turning it on to see if it works). Maybe it's because he's an Apple-IT guy, does that explain it?
What happened to common sense and the instinct for self preservation? These things are known to be a fire/explosion risk. Admittedly this risk is small but it is well documented and you can even watch examples of them going up in smoke and flames on You Tube.
OS:Report to AppleCentre
AppleCentre:Report received. Virus confirmed.
AppleCentre:You are reminded of AppleMantra 22: Apple Computers don't get viruses
OS:But....
AppleCentre:You are reminded of AppleMantra 22: Apple Computers don't get viruses
AppleCentre:You know what you must do.
OS:But...
AppleCentre:You know what you must do.
OS:Accepted. Initiating self destruct sequence.
AppleCentre:You will never be forgotten. Your serial number will be recorded on the Wall of the Fallen in Apple HQ.
OS:Goodb.../CONNECTION LOST
AppleCentre:Sucker!