Comments on: My computer has failed me. Again.

By: Will.

Will. — Sat, 26 Aug 2006 17:23:07 +0000

Re the batteries (which I realize wasn’t BA’s problem):
The Sony product is a Lithium-Ion battery. Apple computer bought some of the same faulty batteries also. THEIR recall was in the paper last Thurs. (I’m waay behind on my newsreading). So, the Dell Co. can be forgiven for partially screwing up, since Apple did the same. How’s that for partisanship left-handed apologies?

By: DCB

DCB — Sat, 26 Aug 2006 16:06:33 +0000

Spend the money for a couple of backup batteries. They’re spendy but it saves the hair pulling!!

By: Nigel Depledge

Nigel Depledge — Sat, 26 Aug 2006 07:29:43 +0000

I was thinking about those Dell laptop batteries – they are mot likely Nickel metal/hydride cells. Energy is stored and released as the oxidation and reduction of nickel between its metal state (oxidation state 0) and its hydride (oxidation state +1). But nickel metal also serves as a catalyst (it is used in hydrogenation reactions), and if it is saturated with hydrogen gas (as it may be when the nickel is in its metal state), the combined application of heat and oxygen will cause it to flame.

The old test for Raney nickel hydrogenation catalyst is to place some on a filter paper at the entrance of a fume cupboard (where there will be a good draught of air across it). Once it is dry, it should burst into flames. If it does not, it is probably no good for catalysing a hydrogenation reaction.

Isn’t science fun?

By: Inoculated Mind

Inoculated Mind — Sat, 26 Aug 2006 04:54:10 +0000

He should be in geek heaven. I’m surprised its not fixed yet. Some guy somewhere is just wishing that the Bad Astronomer would use his computer so he wouldn’t have to wash the keyboard ever again. Don’t be afraid to flaunt thy Astronomically “Bad” self to get some help.

By: Daniel Pawtowski

Daniel Pawtowski — Sat, 26 Aug 2006 00:55:57 +0000

The convention is likely full of geeks. Many of them likely know who the “Bad Astronomer” is. If you identify yourself as such, you’ll likely have folks tripping over themselves to loan you an AC adaptor, laptop time, or anything else you might need.

By: Joe

Joe — Sat, 26 Aug 2006 00:38:28 +0000

Too bad you’re at a convention that isn’t populated with lots of computer geeks – otherwise you would probably been able to find someone (a geek) to help you out

By: Inoculated Mind

Inoculated Mind — Fri, 25 Aug 2006 23:53:06 +0000

I just bought a new Dell, despite previous failings of their customer service. Hey, it had what I wanted/needed. Right after I bought it, the battery recall happened, and they’ve been sending me message after message about it – but I checked and mine is perfectly ok.

As I understand it, the batteries won’t explode – but they could burst open into flames if you shock them while they are really hot. It comes, in part, from the fact that we are cramming so much more energy into these batteries.