What is it with modern batteries?
HP Laptop Batteries catching fire – recalled
Users are advised to check the barcodes on their batteries. If they start with 6BZLU, 6CGFK, 6CGFQ, 6CZMB, 6DEMA, 6DEMH, 6DGAL or 6EBVA, then they should remove the batteries and contact HP for a free replacement.
Until a battery is received, users are advised to use the notebook by plugging it in.
Users should contact HP for a free replacement battery
Finding Your Battery
If it doesn’t pop right off the back of your laptop, you should be able to remove the panel underneath your laptop relatively easily, usually with a Philips screwdriver. Then just look for the battery; the affected units measure “8 to 10.5 inches long, 2 inches wide and about 1 inch high,” the CPSC said. There will be print on each cell that says “HP Notebook Battery” along with a model number. If the number reads 6EBVA, 6DGAL, 6DEMH, 6DEMA, 6CZMB, 6CGFK or 6BZLU, then your unit is potentially very dangerous.
In fact, the CPSC said the laptop batteries can cause fires, resulting in melting and charring computers. One incident caused about $1,000 worth of damage, presumably not including the actual laptop that went up in flames.
Here’s the CPSC remedy: “Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled batteries, remove them from the notebook computers and contact HP for a free replacement battery. Until a replacement battery is received, consumers should use the notebook computer by plugging it into AC power only. Batteries previously identified as not affected by the June 2016 recall could be included in this expanded announcement. Consumers are urged to recheck their batteries.”