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- The Associated Press
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- February 23, 1983, Wednesday, PM cycle
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- TI Reports Problem With Computer Transformer Adapter Cord
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- SECTION: Domestic News
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- LENGTH: 316 words
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- DATELINE: DALLAS
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- Owners of Texas Instruments' popular 99-4A personal computer have been advised to
- contact the company about fixing a transformer that could pose an electrical hazard.
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- The company said Tuesday it was discussing with the Consumer Products Safety
- Commission the distribution of a transformer adapter cord that would protect users
- from possible dangers of electric shock from the machines.
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- TI spokesman Norman Neureiter said laboratory tests on the machine's AC9500
- transformer identified a defect that creates the remote possibility the transformer
- could overheat and allow an electrical leak into the computer that could shock the
- operator or damage the machine.
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- "There has been no reported incident of this kind in the field, none," said
- Neureiter. "But we've been able to duplicate that kind of condition in the
- laboratory, and we feel an obligation to correct it because it's an extremely
- popular computer," he said, adding that the company alerted the safety agency in
- Washington about the potential danger.
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- He said because of the remote possibility the company is planning to send the
- transformer adapter cord to all owners.
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- The 99-4A computer has been on the market for a year, he said, but most of the
- sales have been since October. Neureiter said that everyone who owns the TI 99-4A
- computer should call the manufacturer and give an address to which a special adaptor
- can be mailed.
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- The adaptor will correct the problem, Neureiter said.
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- He said that the AC9500 transformer, a small black box connected between the wall
- outlet and the computer, is purchased by TI from an outside supplier and sold with
- the computer.
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- Neureiter said he had no details on the vendor of the transformer.
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- Owners of TI 99-4A computers will be located from rebate and warranty cards, the
- company said. People who did not send in cards can get an adapter by calling a
- toll-free telephone number.
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