In an announcement on Friday, the company said that flaw could cause a PC to lock up or crash via the Blue Screen of Death, or lead to undetected memory data corruption. Toshiba insisted, though, that the possibility of any of these events occurring is "extremely low".
It's not clear exactly which components are responsible for the problems, with Toshiba merely saying that they are supplied by third parties. Twenty-seven different laptop models are affected (full list below). Toshiba says the modules will not be used in any new units.
According to reports, up to 650,000 laptops containing the memory module in questions have been sold.
Toshiba has now begun a component exchange programme for anyone who owns one of the affected machines. This will run from 1 November, 2004, to 30 April, 2005.
Software can be downloaded from Toshiba's Web site that will examine whether a laptop contains the modules in question.
Click here to access this utility.
Customers who find their machine is affected will be supplied with a replacement component by Toshiba for free. There will also be no charge if a laptop has to be shipped to Toshiba for repair, the company has promised.
The Toshiba laptops affected:
TECRA S1; TECRA 9100; TECRA M1; TECRA M2; Satellite 2400; Satellite 2405; Satellite 1110; Satellite 1115; Satellite Pro M10; Satellite Pro M15; Satellite M30; Satellite M35; Portege R100; Portege M200; Portege M205; Dynabook T5; Dynabook E6; Dynabook V7; Dynabook Satellite M10; Dynabook SS S7; Dynabook SS 2100; Dynabook E7; Dynabook V8; Dynabook V9; Dynabook VX1; Dynabook SS M200.
Hi my name is Lana Lang and I have one of these laptops that are affected. I have been to office works here in Melbourne to have it repaired, they repaired it but not long ago only to have it breaking down again. I rang office works to ask for further ****istance and was told there is nothing else that could be done. I also rang Toshiba direct and was told that I need to go back to where I purchased the unit which was in QLD but I live here in Melbourne.I thought I did not have a leg to stand on until by accident I came across this internet sight about the affected Toshiba laptops. But my problem is that there is a cut off date for the affected laptops as I see and it doesnt look like I fit the cut off date. Why was I not told on the phone when talking to Toshiba that day about my problem that they were replacing the laptops? I would like some answers or I'll be going to consumer affairs about this! And how dare there be a cut off date for something wrongly manufactured. If its affected then its just should be replaced regardless of cut of dates!