On September 28, 2006 Sony Corporation announced a global replacement program for certain battery packs that are used in portable computers.

Sony has confirmed to Toshiba that the Sony batteries that are used in some Toshiba portable computers, and which are eligible for free replacement under the Voluntary Battery Exchange Programme are not subject to the same problem that caused the recalls issued by certain computer manufacturers last year. The Toshiba design, coupled with the protection systems in those Toshiba portable computers is different than those of other computer vendors.

After the announcement by Sony Corporation, and in order to ensure customer satisfaction, Toshiba decided to participate in Sony’s global battery pack replacement program and is offering Toshiba customers a free of charge replacement of certain battery packs identified by Sony. This replacement offer is only applicable to certain Sony battery packs, and does not include the replacement of any Toshiba computer.

Safety Tips : For Users whose Battery Packs are Identified as the Subject Sony Battery Packs

Consult the “Instruction Manual for Safety and Comfort” and comply with its instructions.

Until the battery pack is replaced, continue to use your Toshiba portable computer with the original AC adapter power cord supplied with your computer. Removal of the battery pack until the replacement arrives is advised. Before removing the battery pack, disconnect the power source for your Toshiba portable computer and remove the AC adaptor power cord.

However, if you do use the battery pack before it is replaced:

• Avoid using the subject Sony battery pack with AC adaptor power cord.
• Use your Toshiba portable computer within the recommended temperature range.
• Do not use your Toshiba portable computer on any surface or thing that obstructs ventilation of the computer, i.e. sofa, carpet, bed, or near anything that produces heat.
• When recharging your Toshiba portable computer, do not leave the computer unattended.
  

SECTION 1 – SONY BATTERY PACKS IN TOSHIBA NOTEBOOK COMPUTERS
In order to check whether your notebook computer may be affected by this issue you should switch it off, turn it upside down and refer to the MODEL NUMBER as detailed on the information plate that is affixed to the underside of the unit (see Figure 1):-

Figure 1 – Information Plate on Underside of Notebook

Once you know the model number of your computer you should check it against the list of models which could potentially be affected by this issue (see table below). In referencing this list please be aware that not all of the computers within each listed model will necessarily have been supplied with an affected battery pack - if your model is included in this list, please refer to the instructions contained within Section 3 below.

Model Name	Model Part Number
Portégé M300	PPM30*
Portégé M400	PPM40*
Portégé S100	PPS10*
Qosmio F30	PQF30*
Qosmio G30	PQG30*, PQG31*
Satellite R10	PSR10*
Satellite U200	PLUA0*
Satellite Pro U200	PLUA1*
Tecra A2	PTA20*
Tecra A3X	PTA3X*
Tecra M3	PTM30*
Tecra M4	PTM40*, PTM42*
Tecra M5	PTM50*, PTM51*
Tecra S3	PTS30*

In the event that your notebook is not listed above, then no further action will be required.

SECTION 2 - SONY BATTERY PACKS WITHIN OPTIONAL BATTERY PACKS
In the event that you have purchased an optional battery pack, you should refer to the MODEL NUMBER as detailed on the information plate that is affixed to the battery (see Figure 2):-

Figure 2 – Information Plate on Battery Pack

Once you know the model number of the battery pack you should check it against the list of models which could potentially be affected by this issue (see table below). In referencing this list please be aware that not all of the batteries within each listed model number will necessarily be affected by this issue - if your model is included in this list, please refer to the instructions contained within Section 3 below.

PA3356U-2BRS	PA3475U-1BRS
PA3356U-3BRS	PA3476U-1BRS
PA3191U-4BRS	PA3509U-1BRM
PA3191U-5BRS

In the event that your optional battery pack is not listed above, then no further action will be required.

SECTION 3 - IDENTIFYING SUSPECTED BATTERY PACKS
If you suspect that you may have an affected battery pack there are two different methods that you can apply in order to confirm this suspicion and organise for it to be replaced under Toshiba's Voluntary Exchange Programme. These methods are explained in detail below:-

Method 1 - Toshiba Battery Test Utility
This is the preferred method of identifying affected battery packs and should be used in all cases unless there are exceptional circumstances where this is not possible.

In order to make identification simpler, Toshiba has developed a small test utility which you can download and run, and which will then detect whether your battery is potentially affected or not. In the event the battery is affected, the utility will automatically connect you to the appropriate Internet site and provide you with full instructions to allow a replacement battery to be ordered from Toshiba at no charge. The full process to follow in order to obtain and use this utility is detailed below:-

a)	Download the Battery Test Utility by clicking the following link:- http://aps.toshiba-tro.de/battchange/tools/BattTool2EN.zip
b)	If you are asked whether you wish to open the file or save it, select the option to save and then specify an appropriate directory on your computer's hard disk.
c)	Within the directory specified in Step (b) above, right click on the downloaded file and select Extract All… from the menu that is presented - this will automatically start the Windows Compressed Folders Extraction Wizard.
d)	At the initial Welcome to the Compressed (Zipped) Folder Extraction Wizard, click Next.
e)	At the Select a Destination window, accept the default values that are entered and click Next - this will extract all of the required files.
f)	At the Extraction Complete window, ensure that the Show extracted files option is ticked and then click Next - this will take you to the extraction directory which should contain a further directory named Tool3EMEAE2_0928.
g)	Double click on the Tool3EMEAE2_0928 directory which will then display a list of the files required to execute the Battery Test Utility.
h)	Double click the BatteryCheck2.exe utility. In the event that you receive a security warning advising The publisher could not be verified. Are you sure you want to run this software?, click Run, this will display the following prompt:-

i)	After ensuring that the battery pack is properly connected, click OK - the utility will then check the battery and, in the event that it is not affected by this issue, will display the following prompt:-

At this point you can click OK to exit the utility and take no further action.

j)	In the event that the battery pack is affected by the issue, and assuming that you are not connected to the Internet, the utility will display the following prompt:-

If this prompt is received you should click No followed by OK, ensure the notebook has a valid Internet connection available, and then perform this process again from Step (h).

Should you receive this prompt but you are sure that you are connected to the Internet, then you should check to ensure that any Firewall applications you have running, either hardware of software based, are configured to allow the Battery Test Utility through. Once you have made appropriate changes to your Firewall, you should perform this process again from Step (h).

k)	In the event that the battery pack is affected by the issue, and you are connected to the Internet, the utility will display the following prompt:-

l)	Click OK which will automatically launch your web browser software and take you to the first page of the Battery Exchange Programme web site in order that you can register your details - this is presented as below:-

This page will automatically check your notebook and should populate the Model Name, Model Part Number, Model Serial Number and Language fields with the correct information. In the event that this automatic population does not happen, or you note that some of the information is incorrect, you should click Edit which will present the following screen into which the required changes can be entered before clicking OK:-

m)	If the information displayed is correct, click Next to move onto the next step in the process which allows you to enter your name and contact details - this is presented as follows:-

n)	Once your details have been entered, click Next - this will complete the registration process and presents you with a summary of the battery information and your contact details.

At this stage your details have been submitted and an order placed for a replacement battery to be dispatched to you. However, you are advised to either save or print the information on this page, taking special care to note down the Case Number, should you need to reference it in the future.

In the event that you need to check the status of your replacement battery order you can do so via the following address:-

http://servicestatus.toshiba-tro.de/

In addition, should you wish to contact us in relation to this matter then you can do so via the following e-mail address:-

coexpro@toshiba-tro.de

Once you have finished with the information on this page, you may close the browser window and continue working normally.

Method 2 - Visual Inspection
If you suspect that you may have an affected battery pack, you will need to visually inspect the information printed on the battery to determine whether it is covered by the Voluntary Exchange Programme or not - the instructions for performing this inspection can be found by clicking here.

Important Note
Please be aware that performing a visual inspection of the battery pack may result in an incorrect result such that it indicates that the battery pack should be replaced, while the results of running the Battery Test Utility show that it does not. In the event that you find the results of these two identification methods differ, the result produced by the utility software, and not that of the visual inspection, should be used to determine whether the battery should be replaced or not.

In the event that you are able to confirm that your battery is affected, please take care to note down all of the information that it contains. This should include the following:-

- The battery's model number.
- All of the information printed alongside or below the bar coded stickers.

Depending on the country in which you are located, you should then contact the appropriate Toshiba Helpdesk as detailed in SECTION 4 who will log your details and start the process for a replacement battery to be issued.

In the event that you are in a country that is not covered by a Toshiba Helpdesk number, you should refer your issue to a Toshiba Authorised Service Provider who will be able to provide you with assistance on obtaining a replacement battery pack. Should you not have a preferred service provider, you can use our Global ASP locator to find one by clicking here


SECTION 4 - FURTHER INFORMATION
In the event that you have any questions in relation to the information provided herein, please contact the Toshiba Help Desk in your country:-

Great Britain	0870 444 8936
Ireland	1 248 1 248
Germany	01805 231 632 (calls charged at € 0.12 per minute from standard DTAG net)
France	0892 6970 92
Portugal	0707 266 266
Spain	902 283 283
Netherlands	0900 1000 1000
Belgium	0900 10 990
Luxemburg	900 750 11
Italy	02 6968 2629
Switzerland	0848 84 52 50
If a Help Desk number is not listed for your country then please click here to search for a Toshiba Authorised Service Provider local to you. In the event that you would like more information about the Voluntary Battery Exchange Programme, please read our frequently asked questions (FAQ) document which can be found be clicking here