Sony on Wednesday released a warning to customers worldwide that a system glitch its VAIO laptop computers may cause overheating and possible burns.

Sony said that "in rare instances" some of its VAIO F and C series models of notebook computers may overheat due to a potential malfunction of the internal temperature management system, resulting in deformation of the product's keyboard or external casing, and a potential burn hazard to consumers.

Sony said the the glitch is affecting more than half a million of VAIO laptops sold worldwide and that it received a total of 39 complaints from overseas customers saying that the shape of their computers became distorted from overheating.

Sony is offering consumers a software application download with which to correct the malfunction.

If you have one of the VPCF11 or VPCCW2 series models, Sony recommends that you download and install a firmware update specifically designed to prevent the potential overheating symptom.

* Click here for information on how to locate the model number of your notebook PC.

* Click here to download and instal the update.