Dell Warns of Defect

Dell Computer Corp. is warning some notebook computer owners that their machines might contain defective memory chips. The Round Rock, Texas-based computer maker sent a letter to customers who purchased its Latitude and Inspiron notebooks shipped between Feb. 1 and Nov. 20, 1999, a spokesman said. The problem was discovered after Dell analyzed a rash of customer service calls reporting similar trouble: computers that freeze following system failures, causing a loss or corruption of data. About half, or 400,000, of the Latitude and Inspiron portables shipped during the period might have received the defective chips. Dell said customers who suspect the defect should use a diagnostic diskette sent with the letter or download the program from Dell’s Web site--https://www.dell.com--to test their notebooks. If the defect is confirmed, Dell will ship new memory overnight, or consumers can send their notebooks to Dell for memory replacement at company expense. Dell shares closed up 81 cents at $51.25 on Nasdaq.