Dead Pixel?

My apologies in advance if this has been addressed before, but I'm wondering if anyone has any dead pixels on their screens. I thought my R2 was luckily without problems, but I noticed a little spot on the bottom right of the screen. I thought it was dirt so I tried to clean it with a microfiber cloth, but it didn't do anything. Upon looking at it closer, it looks like it could be a piece of dirt that got under the plastic and is sitting there between the plastic cover and screen. Or it could be a dead pixel, but it really looks like its above the screen.

Has anyone had a similar problem? Any suggestions to clean the screen in a better way than just using a microfiber to see if its really a dead pixel? I'd imagine Dell won't accept a return/fix for only one pixel, but it is pretty annoying, especially on lighter backgrounds.

 

Call Dell and tell them there's dust inside the LCD, and they should replace the LCD w/o much hassle.

And I don't have that problem btw.

 

Had the same issue some dust got inside the screen that was just after 2 months of owning and the retailer replaced the laptop.

I would call up dell and request a replacement screen

I thought it was a dead pixel at first but then I noticed it was dust that got in behind the glass panel

 

I persoally wouldn't say it's a deadpixel since there's a 5-6 deadpixel rule by Dell.

 

Thanks for your comments. I looked up Dell's dead pixel policy, and as Achilles said its a 5-6 dead pixel rule before they will replace it. The more I look at it, the more I think it's some dust stuck behind the plastic. If I look at it in a certain angle, I can see the screen behind it just fine. This is annoying as I've only had the machine for a week and just noticed it tonight. I bought it direct from Dell Japan so I'll call them and see if they'll give me a replacement, or at least get the dust out. I might try a compressed air duster, too.

EDIT: I think this must have been there at production and I didn't notice it until now. The seals for the screen are all very nice and I don't see how it would have gotten in there. Mr DoughBoy, did you have quite a bit of dust, or just one spot like mine?

EDIT 2: Okay, it's definitely dust. I can see it with the screen off. It's only one dot though, and I'm wondering if its worth it to fix since my screen and hinges are okay...

 

What if the pixels suddenly turn green and start eating the other healthy pixels? Does Dell have a "zombie pixel" policy? I started playing Doom on my R1 M11X and then this happened... j/k

lol kidding aside, thankfully I've had no visible problems myself.

 

If you have > 2 bright dots on the screen, support will replace the LCD on your M11x or M11xR2. If you have dust or debris in the screen, they will replace it as long as you are under warranty.

 

Okay, so I called Dell Japan today and they said that they won't fix/replace the screen if there's only one dot of dust under it, even though I've only had the machine for less than two weeks. Should I try to take this further?

It is only one dark dot and looks almost like a pen mark or something. It's not noticeable on a dark screen, but it stands out rather annoyingly on anything with a bright background, like Google. I wonder if Dell's repair policy is company-wide, or if they have different policies for different regions.

EDIT: I just got another call from Dell, and it turns out they will fix it! Now I'm wondering if its actually worth it. My hinges seem to be very sturdy and the screen isn't touching the keyboard. I'm worried that I might get a refurbished screen with an older hinge assembly that will be worse than I have now. What do you think, replace it or not?

 

Pretty funny. I've started playing Dead Space, so who knows what all that blood is doing to my pixels, lol.

OP, I don't have the problem either but I would have a tendency to think that it's dust like you think.

 

I wouldn't ask for a replacement, it's just dust.
You might get a dead or a stuck pixel on your new screen, I wouldn't risk it.

If you gently tap the screen, you can get the dust to drop (worked on my R2).

 

I always just say I've 7 pixels out, and they replace it - I have had my screen replaced a total of 8 times, and 8th time is the charm

 

Sorry for the initial double post...

 

Okay, I got my screen replaced this morning. Dell Japan called me back yesterday afternoon and said I could get a replacement screen and less than 16 hours later the tech was at my door. I'm very satisfied with how quickly they came out.

I got the Samsung screen, which is noticeably brighter than the AUO I had before. No dust under the screen or dead pixels. But, after it was installed in noticed a green mark on the lid. It looks like someone used a permanent marker on it and it won't come off. The is also a very noticeable tension in the hinge when opening it, which my old screen didn't have. Plus the tech seems to have not put everything back tight enough because the laptop is no longer level, even though the feet are on. Dell Japan doesn't have any more screens in stock so I'm waiting for their call, but I'm already regretting getting it replaced. I should have lived with the dust.

 

I know how it feels... Grrrrrrrrrrrr

I would call Dell and ask them to send me a brand new M11x or a full refund.

 

I had a similar situation, when my replacement screen was not aligned well and causing hinge stress. Dell issued another replacement. Same tech came, I gently explained what happened, he was way cool and was more careful.

Call them back and tell them you want another. It's within warranty, they'll do it.

 

Thanks for your feedback, I'm glad to know there are others who've replaced their screens multiple times. Dell called me back this afternoon and I explained to them that I'm pretty sure the screen they gave me was refurbished, and asked for a new one or a replacement machine. They said they are going to send me another replacement screen for now, and I made sure to emphasis that I wanted a new one, not a refurbished one. But we'll see what happens. They said they don't have any in stock now and will call me once they do, which I'm hoping won't take too long.

When the tech comes out again I'll be sure to explain to him about the hinge stress and to be careful when putting the screen on. I don't know how my feet got unaligned, but its annoying its not level now. The tech today said he had never seen an M11x before, but he didn't seem to have a problem with it.

I'm kind of mad at myself for asking for a replacement, because I'd rather have a spot of dust on the inside of the screen than bad hinges and a laptop that doesn't stay level. Part of me feels that it isn't too much to expect a screen with no problems on a brand new product, but another part of me feels that I should just deal with it.

About the screen, the Samsung is much brighter, but I think the contrast is noticeably worse. Colors look more washed out than on my old screen. Neither screen is perfect, and I guess I really don't mind which one I have, as they are both good enough for my needs.

 

Dont worry about it saying refurbished part. All dell parts say they are refurbished in my experience. Just make sure you are happy w/ the replacement is all, and have a long warranty.

 

So I got a new screen, another Samsung, and it is much better than the last one. No green permanent marker or scratches and the hinges seem just as good as my original panel. The tech told me that it was a brand new screen and not refurbished, but whether it was or wasn't, it is in great condition. No dead pixels or dust to speak of. Even though the black levels aren't that great, I prefer the Samsung screen over the AUO as its much brighter. Overall I'm very happy with the new screen.


The techs that Dell Japan use, however, have not been that experienced with Alienware computers. When I set up the tech to come out for the second time, I politely asked for a different tech, preferably one with experience servicing Alienware computers. When he arrived, I asked him if he's serviced an Alienware before, specifically the M11x. He said he's done it once. Then he busted out a service manual and started to use it as guide while taking apart my system. That didn't give me much confidence.


After he put it back together, the keyboard was sticking out quite a bit from the base (similar to the photos that have been posted before). I asked him to fix it, which he did, but then the backlighting on the keyboard became noticeably dimmer. In some places it was almost completely off. So I called Dell again and they are sending me a replacement keyboard.

I understand Alienware is not that popular in Japan, but I've had two service calls now, and on both occasions additional things broke after the techs fixed my initial problem, which is more than a little frustrating.

Dell Japan, on the other hand, has been fantastic. All my service calls have been next day, including the arrival of parts. The reps have been great and have always called me back to update me on the status of the parts and repair scheduling. Whenever I make an initial call I am almost 100% sure I get forwarded to a call center in China, but within a few hours a rep from within Japan calls me back.

Anyway, +1 for Dell Japan. I hope I won't need to call them again after my new keyboard arrives.

 

Just got my m11x today and noticed 2 stuck pixels. They always seem to be 'on' and it's really noticeable against dark backgrounds. I'm trying to unstick them now using the JScreenFix. If they don't go away though, will Dell replace my screen?