Tokyo--Toshiba Corporation today announced further measures to encourage greater customer participation in the global program to replace certain Sony battery packs installed in some Toshiba portable computers.

On September 28, 2006, Sony Corporation announced a global replacement program for a number of battery packs supplied to computer makers, Toshiba among them. Toshiba is participating in the program and offering its customers free replacement of the battery packs identified by Sony.

On May 24, 2007, a Toshiba portable computer with a Sony battery pack caught fire. Toshiba immediately asked Sony to investigate. The investigation confirmed that the cause of the fire was the battery pack, as in other incidents reported earlier. Despite Toshiba's continued efforts to promote participation in the replacement program, and although Sony recommended replacement, the PC still had the original battery pack. This incident followed another that occurred this April in Japan, also involving an unreplaced battery pack.

Toshiba recognizes the importance of this situation and is determined to make every effort to assure the safety and comfort of its customers. Accordingly, the Company is now embarking on a new round of efforts to encourage customers to check their PCs and to get the battery replaced if it is on the list.

1. Affected products
A list of Toshiba personal computers with the affected Sony battery packs is as attached in the annex to this release.

2. Cause of the fire
While the primary cause of the fire in the May 24 incident was not identified, damage resulting from a short circuit within the battery pack was found, confirming that the problem originated in the battery pack.

3. Means to join the voluntary exchange program
Owners of Toshiba notebook PCs with any of the PC models on the list are urgently requested to visit their local Toshiba website or contact a local customer support center and determine whether their PC has one of the subject Sony battery packs. The Toshiba website provides a battery check utility and visual identification manual.

Note: The affected Sony battery packs will be replaced free of charge. This offer covers only battery pack replacement and does not include replacement of any Toshiba computer.

(ANNEX)
List of Toshiba PC models with affected Sony batteries