IBM recalls 63,000 monitors

WASHINGTON: Computer giant IBM and LiteOn Technology have more than doubled a recall of computer monitors that can overheat and pose a fire hazard, said the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The expanded recall will cover 63,000 monitors -manufactured by LiteOn, a Taiwanese company, and sold by IBM and others- on top of 56,000 monitors that were part of a recall announced in March, the agency said.

The companies received seven reports of the units overheating and smoking, one of which caused minor property damage and one that caused minor smoke inhalation, the CPSC said.

The recalled monitors include G51 CRT and G51t Touch Screen CRT models labeled on the back: 6541-02N, 6541-02E, 6541-02S, 6541-QON, 6541-Q0E and 6541-Q0S and were sold from June 1997 through December 1998.

The U.S. agency advised consumers to stop using the monitors and contact IBM's repair center at 1-866-644-3155 for repair or replacement.

© Reuters