Visioneer Computer Scanners Recalled for Motor Lock-Up and Overheating Risk
Visioneer, HP, and Compaq are correcting approximately 150,000 computer scanners where a power fluctuation can cause the motor to lock and overheat.
What this means for you
Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.
Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a risk-of-harm product (overheating) where injury has not yet been reported, fitting the criteria for a High severity score.
Plain-English summary
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Visioneer, Inc. have announced a voluntary correction program for approximately 150,000 computer scanners sold under the names PaperPort Vx, Hewlett-Packard ScanJet 4s, and Compaq Scanner Keyboard. The affected units were sold nationwide between September 1995 and May 1996 through catalogs, mail order, and third-party distributors for suggested retail prices ranging from $299 to $349. Scanners manufactured after March 15, 1996, are not affected by this issue.
The recall addresses a condition where a momentary decrease in the scanner's power supply can cause the motor to lock and potentially overheat. Visioneer, Hewlett-Packard, and Compaq have received a total of 38 reports of motor lock-up involving these scanners. However, CPSC and Visioneer have not received any reports of injuries from customers experiencing an overheat condition.
Consumers can download a software solution from Visioneer's website that significantly reduces the chance of lock-up. Additionally, consumers can obtain and install a free retrofit kit from Visioneer, Hewlett-Packard, or Compaq, which includes a new circuit to prevent motor lock-up. Contact information for ordering the free kits is available through the respective manufacturers' customer service lines.
The recalled product
- Product
- Compaq Scanner Keyboard computer scanners
- Manufacturer
- PaperPort Vx
- Hazard
Distribution
Distributed nationwide across the United States.
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