Memory Problem Reported with Dell Notebooks - defective chips - Brief Article

Black Issues in Higher Education, May 11, 2000

AUSTIN, Texas -- Dell Computer Corp. says as many as 400,000 of its notebook computers may contain defective memory chips after numerous customers reported their computers frequently froze up, lost data or damaged files.

The problem involves Latitude and Inspiron computers shipped between Feb. 1, 1999 and Nov. 20. Dell shipped about 1.3 million Latitude and Inspiron portables last year. About 400,000 of them, or 48 percent, were shipped during the period the defective memory was installed, Dell spokesman Rob Crawley says. Affected models include the Latitude CPiA, CPiR, CPt, CPx and CS and Inspiron 3500, 3700, 7000 and 7500.

The computer maker says for customers who have a faulty machine, it will ship new memory chips overnight, or owners can send their notebooks back for a free repair.