This hasn't been the safest month for notebook computer users based on product recalls and security advisories. The big items are the battery recall for Dell laptop users. And if you have a Windows notebook computer with built in wireless connectivity from Intel, we]ve got a security notice which calls for an update. Both items are serious issues which you should review.

Dell Notebook Battery Recall

The short story is that Dell issued a recall on several million notebook batteries. The batteries pose a fire hazard danger even when not in use. The notebooks involved include the following lines:

• Dell Latitude
• Inspiron
• XPS
• Dell Precision Mobile Workstation notebook computers

It seems some people aren’t taking this recall seriously. One reason is people mistakenly believe they can’t use their notebook without the battery. The real story is you can use the notebook without the battery. You simply take out the battery and use the AC power cord. It’s that’s simple. Besides this will lighten your load until your replacement arrives.

Dell has created a secure website and hotline for the recall to help identify affected notebook batteries. My suggestion is to use the website first as it has a form where you can enter in your part number to see if you’re affected.

The verification check is a simple process, but you will need to pull out your notebook battery to find the correct part number. At the time of this writing, the hotline has been swamped. I have not been able to get through for 2 days although I once got my wait time down to 11 minutes.

Dell Recall Website: https://www.dellbatteryprogram.com/

Dell Recall Hotline: 1-866-342-0011

Battery Replacement Process

If your battery is one of the ones affected, you can submit a replacement request online. You’ll get a confirmation email which provides further details. It will take about 20 business days for your battery replacement to arrive. Sorry, but you’re just getting the battery and not a new notebook. The company will send you a confirmation email when your replacement ships. Your package will also provide a means to return your recalled battery.

Intel Wireless Driver Flaw

Update: If you downloaded the new drivers before 08/25/06, a new set is available that fixes a system resource issue. The link has been changed to reflect the new driver.

The other advisory affects people whose notebooks have built-in wireless. Many of these notebooks use an Intel chip that may be subject to a driver flaw. This flaw could lead to remote code execution or system control. Again, this is serious.

There are three different flaws which cover the following:

• Intel® PRO/Wireless 2200BG Network Connection
• Intel® PRO/Wireless 2915ABG Network Connection
• Intel® PRO/Wireless 2100 Network Connection
• Intel® PRO/Wireless 2200BG Network Connection
• Intel® PRO/Wireless 2915ABG Network Connection
• Intel® PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connection
• Intel® PRO/Wireless 2100 Network Connection

How Do I Identify my Intel Hardware?

Intel has created an identification utility to identify the Wireless LAN hardware in your notebook computer. The utility is 252k so should be pretty fast to download. You can get the utility from the link below:

Intel® PRO/Wireless Network Connection ID Tool

Once you’ve identified your product, you can go to the page below and follow the link to the drivers page. Pay particular attention in selecting the correct operating system and country.

http://support.intel.com/support/wireless/wlan/sb/CS-010623.htm

If you have one of these products, you should consider updating your driver. Intel does note that your computer manufacturer could’ve customized the driver. The new drivers Intel provides are generic. I would be inclined to call or check your computer manufacturer’s site for more info.

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