Dell Studio 1555 LCD problem

Hey,

I already discussed a little the subject in this thread:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=392244

But I decided to start a new thread because I just received my repaired laptop and I have the same problem. Here it goes.

Three weeks ago, I received my brand new Studio 1555. I press the power button and wait some time to let Vista do his things (first start). Right there, while waiting, I notice some kind of flicker on the LCD screen, on the whole right edge of it, more important in the top and bottom corners. I can describe the flickering like when you have a source of magnetic waves near a monitor. It creates some kind of resfresh anomalies. Or, another way to describe it would be like if that part of the screen has a refresh rate lower than 60Hz, just enough to see it refresh. I don't know if you are following me, but I hope. Note that you need to look there and concentrate a little, it's not really obvious. I tried to move the laptop around, and saw the problem in a totally different house (other city) so I don't think it's my environment. Note also that it is really more visible when the laptop has been closed for some time. Note that I outputed the display on an external screen, no problem there so it's not the video card.

Also, an important thing to know is that it's not visible on any colors. I notices that black and white are OK, but dark or light blue/green/gray are easy visible. There is one particular wallpaper given with Vista that's good to reproduce the problem.

So anyway, I decided to call Dell and get the LCD replaced. Sent it on monday, received it today with a paper saying that they indeed changed the LCD+Cables. So, happy, I start the laptop and bang, the exact same problem, same place. Just like if they never changed the screen. So, my theories:

1- I'm very unlucky and got 2 screens with the same problem...
2- They never changed the screen, just made it like it was a new one...
3- The problem resides somewhere else in the laptop. Maybe a component makes the DC power noizy or the video signals.
4- I'm the only one who noticed it, but the problem is there with yours... which would mean that there is a design problem because they pass the DC power along the right edge of the display (the power button is there so...)

I'm frustrated, cause I've searched the web and nobody seems to have the problem. Man, you pay a product 1500$ and you get problems like that that even my young kid can see when we start the computer...

Anyway, I would appreciate if people could try and see if they also have the problem. Use the below wallpaper (I think it's the default one in the welcome screen where you select the users). That place is particulary good for noticing the problem, but as I said, it looks like it's easier to spot when the laptop has been off for a while.

http://rhftech.com/images/vista-welcome.JPG

Studio 1555 with 1080p LCD screen.

Anyway thanks to you all in advance!


PS: I tried to change the resolution, no luck.

 

somebody?

advices, comments, experience.. everything is welcome...

 

alright, looks like I'm not alone. Found this thread on the Dell Community.

2 (maybe 3) people have the exact same problem. Any other out there?

EDIT: for some reason, the old link doesn't work anymore... here is one:
http://en.community.dell.com/forums/p/19263299/19517772.aspx

 

It doesn't happen on mine, but then again I have the 720p.

 

I have the 1080p screen.
I just checked my laptop screen and it doesn't appear to be suffering from this issue. I've never noticed it in the past either. The thing I do notice and I think is normal is that when I'm shutting down or booting up, the fade in/fade out transition isn't really smooth. The screen fades in or out simliar to you turning the brightness down or up really fast by tapping the buttons, and if you look carefully you can see horizontal levels of brightness along the screen.

I checked the dell support thread you linked. It seems as if those people with that problem have the same video card. What video card do you have?

 

The bad news is that I have the 512MB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4570... so I differ hehe. Somebody suggested me to run this screen tester. I'll give it a try today.

http://news.softpedia.com/news/How-to-test-you-LCD-CRT-monitor-36328.shtml

 

hey, I was playing around yesterday with the laptop and I found out that my brightness level was really low. I pressed the brightness up button (F5) and the problem disappeared. When I put the brightness at minimum, the problem is easily spotted. Could you guys try that, on the welcome screen wallpaper?

 

the problem is only with Samsung screens.
I have one in my new Studio 1737 and my screen was replaced too.
On low brightness level the screen just flickering.
I paid for my notebook 2000 $, because I'm in Bulgaria.
DELL must compensate all of us, for its SAMSUNG screen crap..
Samsung as well has NOT good contrast, and white color actually is yellow or beige.
Sunday I was in Turkey.I guess Samsung has factury in Turkey. We did direct comparison between Samsung, LG,Philips,Sony,some turkish manufacturers - TV, GSM, Notebooks.
Result - Samsung always produce yellow or beige color, and you don't have white color at all.
Flickering is another very common problem.
Again DELL must compensate us with LG Philips good screens.

 

Not true. My Samsung SEC5441 LED display in my 1555 is very good. It doesn't flicker, to my knowledge, and whites are very white.

 

DownyTif :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Moniwv8ewU
do you recognize your issue?

 

I know about yours because I read your posts.It is good for you but...
"i just hate the Samsung screen white is warm white....... i want those cool temperature white... External LCD monitor can always adjust between duno wat 3000+, 6000+ and 9000+ temperature color where they are warm, normal and cool color.... LG white is those cool white. No mather how i adjust the samsung screen with color tuning utilities, the white wont go cool white... sad "
It is very common for SEC5442, and it is well known problem.

Not to mention:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=300810&highlight=SEC5442
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=351674&page=3

 

Wow that's realy bad.

Dell doesn't need to compensate you with a specific brand of display though; just one that works.

 

My first Studio 1537 that I purchased from Best Buy had this exact same issue... a slight flicker in the screen that was only visible when the brightness was at it's lowest setting. I don't recall which screen mfgr that first laptop had, but needless to say I returned it. Luckily this one does not suffer from that same problem, considering I leave the brightness on its lowest setting at all times. It's BRIGHT to me even on the lowest setting!

Best of luck getting a resolution...
--Eric

 

I made research about one week.
And my first flickering samsung matrix, was replaced with another flickering samsung matrix.
I already mention, but again.I don't have white color at all, It is yellow or beige.
And I clear can see difference between one picture situated in left display corner, and right display corner.
Actually on left side the picture is more yellow, on the right more white.

I had Studio 1535 with LGP and I compered them.I compared my samsung screen to 4 years old HP notebook.The samsung screen is worst than old Proview screen.
My father already has glasses and He must work on it.
Shame for Dell!

 

IF anyone wants to check, the pictures will show you how (please note the picture is from my old 1535 laptop with good LG philips matrix)
LPL - LG philips often good screens
SEC5442 - you must expect issues. eye strain
SEC5441 - possible issues
AUO - AUOptronics - they have brightness problems.They are just unrealistic bright. eye strain

 

OK, but my point is that Dell do not have to supply you with the brand you request unless you pay them for that brand of display.

Your comment:

"Again DELL must compensate us with LG Philips good screens"

you should replace the word "must" with the words "will hopefully". The only demand you can make of Dell is that your display functions correctly.

 

I offered to pay for specific brand display - LGPhilips.
Because I watch close notebookreview.com Dell's board, and Dell's Samsung matrix problems are well known from E6400.
But Dell's official distributor refused to accept.

1)I waited 24 days for my notebook.I was lied by IndexBG sells manager.they officially told me 20 days maximum term.
2)IndexBG sells manager told me 3 times- "The notebook will be made in Ireland's factory", actually on my notebook i can see "Made in Poland"
3)I paid for Next Business day on site, but instead IndexBG Escalation manager forced me to go to Service.
My notebook was 3 days in the service centre for matrix replacement, and I had to visit the service 3 times.4)Not to mention the first time they laid me about "the replacement", the matrix was not replaced and I caught them...

My English is not on good level, and I can't expose the whole story in details.
But trust me I deserve good LG LED Screen. I don't carry LG or Samsung, but SEC5442 is well knows as not good screen with many issues.

 

[edit] doh, 8 posts were added while I was typing this, so sorry if it makes a bit less sense than it already did

You're not alone, I received my 1555 on the 23rd of July and I have the same problem.

Visible under natural/incandescent/florescent light, in Vista, 7, Ubuntu, the BIOS, everywhere, and at home and at work (trying to rule out unwanted interference). Mains only (battery out), mains with battery charging and mains with a full battery.

If I view the screen through a digital camera (phone in my case) it shows up more (and you can see the effect on other LCDs that otherwise appear ok), and you can see it definitely disappears under full brightness, however so does a load of the battery life
Plus I find the lowest setting very usable indoors, and the highest one way too bright to be comfortable.

Which panel do you have in your laptop? Mine is a AU Optronics one (AUO10ED), perhaps other ones (LG, Samsung etc) are ok. The fact it only shows along one edge indicates a fault with the panel and not the power supply (to me it does at least), hopefully a swap will fix it and it's not a characteristic of these panels as I like the rest of the machine.

I have in-home service (had to have it for the accidental damage cover), some BIOS settings keep on reverting at random but without a checksum error, I need to have someone out for that so I might as well get him/her to swap the panel, inverter or mb while they're here.

 

Forgot to ask, have you had any temporary image persistance? (Would have been called screen burn in the old days). I were using my 1555 for maybe 90 mins but with the sidebar visible the whole time (with the calender showing white numbers on an orange background).

Brought up Firefox running a dark theme, opened a new tab and saw a big 25 still on the screen! (This was last Saturday). Luckily it faded away after a while, but I've only had this before with a really old laptop (200mhz + 32mb, etc) so I weren't expecting it on a new one. The Samsung monitor I've been using with my main computer for a good while now has been fine (206BW), even showing mostly static images for hours.

 

woah, nope. That's intense. My problem is really concentrated on the far right side of the screen and it's much smaller. I'll try to record it tonight.

 

If I try and record it it shows evenly across the whole screen, but worse, because the screen refresh and camera capture rates aren't matched. Also why the same effect shows on my other LCDs, even thought they appear fine to the naked eye.

 

do you also have the problem I described?

 

Yep, I posted above (post 18).

I've since tried updating the drivers (using Mobility Modder to make the newest Catalyst work) but it's still there, just down the right side.

I also have the Radeon GPU, not the Intel one.

This shade of grey seems to show it up quite nicely, it's my tab background colour (using Firefox and AnyColor set to Dark):

http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/651/4c4c4c.jpg

Otherwise it's barely visible, but annoying to have on a new laptop.

 

sorry for the delay... vacations. But, I do have exactly your problem. I noticed that with your picture, that the problem is present in the whole screen, but really hard to see anywhere else than the right edge...

What do we do about this? Is it a design problem and we have to live with it, or it's a component? For my part, I really don't know what to think... And Dell phone guys aren't the ones who will find the solution I'm pretty sure...

 

Looks like its becoming a common problem... 23 replies of people having the same issue.

http://en.community.dell.com/forums/t/19263299.aspx

 

Sorry for MY delay... I've been meaning to go through the troubleshooting on their website and then call them so someone comes out (under the home repair I'm paying for, rather than send it back to them) but I've been busy trying to fix a few things on my car, and get some other stuff done.

Nice to see there are a load of other people with the problem posting at Dell... otherwise it could have been one of those things where a few people can see it and most can't, and it could have been near impossible to get it fixed

Call me paranoid but I've saved a copy of the thread from Dell's site

 

haha, I was thinking the same thing (about the paranoid part). Happy to see people shime in too. And great idea for the thread, that could become usefull!!

 

I have the same problem with my 720p screen. I just called Dell today and they are going to replace the monitor. Does anyone know if Dell figured out the problem or are people still getting laptops returned that still have the problem?

 

so far, the problem is still present. I found one guy who got his screen replaced + motherboard + videocard. He claims everything is good now. But, he said that he replaced his screen once before for the same brand and the problem was still around.

So, I don't know so far if the problem is only with one type of monitor or if there is something else involved. I'll try to call Dell soon to ask them to change the MB and videocard.

 

I'm not sure what it is that causes this, but take a look at this website. It tests your LCD screen for a lot of different things. One thing that caught my attention was screen flickering. Check it out here.

Click the "Next" link through the different backgrounds. You'll probably notice flickering in a few of those. I noticed it on my Studio 1555 aswell as my Desktop's Flatscreen samsung.

For my notebook I noticed flickers in slides: 2b, 4b(major).

I'm not sure if its anything related to this issue or not, but it just came to my attention. I haven't noticed the flickering on the grey image posted above by BlueDan.

 

With regards to the screen flickering, you could also test it outside of Windows to confirm whether it's a problem with the drivers or not. Turn off your notebook, then press Fn + the power button, then release both. This should launch the diagnostics, one part of the diagnostics is a screen test.

 

Ok, I'll try the suggestions in the last 2 posts, thanks!

eh... guys, why can't I find my Hardware ID for my monitor?

In the device manager, the Monitor tab is missing. Also, right-clicking on the desktop and getting to Display Settings/Advanced properties, under the monitor tab, the Properties is grayed and disabled.

How can I get that info, and why can't I get it?

My video card is the ATI Mobility Radeon HD4570 with Catalyst.

 

Ok, I have it on:
ALL, except 6b (5, 6a are almost invisible)

2a, 4a are incredibly flickering

 

wow, nice little find. Great diagnostics. It really confirms that the hardware is working (I work in electronics/computers).

I saw the display test, didn't noticed the problem. But the test is using color bars and I can't play with my brightness level, so I don't know if it's there or not. On gray, it's really easy to spot.

The Dell guy made me try to output the display on another monitor, which I have (old monitor) and the problem was not there. But this doesn't prove a lot I think, since it could still be the video card the problem since it is probably not using the same lines for internal display and external display.

EDIT: I wrote while the mem test were performing. After it, I got to a menu with "Test Memory", "Test System" and "Exit". Looks lile the Dell utility boot or something. In there, I can notice the problem. It's hard to see, cause I can't play with the brightness, but it's definitly there.

 

Finally remembered/got around to contacting Dell about this (I've been busy, and I got the laptop for University work so it's gone mostly unused up to now...)

...and the service tag isn't being recognised, so I've emailed them and need to wait until 9am Monday at least. (same case for the services and the 7 upgrade, either invalid or "purchased outside the UK" which it wasn't).

I would have had time to quickly email them last week if I'd known that was all I could have done for now. (insert tearing hair out smiley here)

I had been using it today for a few hours and it gave me eye strain and a slight headache, so it's definitely not something I can just ignore because it only shows with some colours.

DownyTif, any luck with yours? I see the thread on Dell's site has stayed active.

Streetmagnus, that site shows up the slight shortcomings of (LCD) monitors in general, not just bad ones - more limitations in the panel or the hardware driving it than faults - if you haven't got constant flickering all the time you shouldn't worry

Fragilexx, I've tried in the preinstalled Vista, reinstalled Vista, re-Vista'd with new drivers, 7, Ubuntu, the BIOS, the diagnostics - it's everywhere, even during OS setups.

 

Update:

Someone came over on Wednesday, fitted a new screen (another AU though) - no difference - tried a new mb <-> screen power cable too.

Today (Friday), new motherboard, flickering is still there
Can't change the inverter because it's either integrated onto the motherboard or the LED backlit screens don't use one.

Someone is going to call me back about sending the system in so they can run tests, etc. I mentioned the differing screens to the guy who visited today and he suggested I ask for an LG/Samsung/other instead of the AU optronics one.

Any luck with yours DownyTif?

 

I have the exact same problem, with the flickering down the right hand side of the screen on my 1555, I have the 1080p (AUO10ED) screen.

I've had the screen replaced on three separate occasions since I received the laptop on Aug18th first time three days later, one time to correct a mistake they made – they replaced the 1080p with a 720p screen when I sent it to be repaired – they also replaced the motherboard at the same time. Now they now know what the problem is (Graphics Card) so I'll find out on Tuesday if that is the case I highly doubt that though, as it seems its more of a problem with the actual panel that they are using for the 1080 option.

Anyone had any luck at getting their money back?

 

Three times, including the wrong panel once doesn't bode well

As well as saying they will try replacing the graphics card, the GPU is attached to the motherboard, not plugged in like the CPU (see the fourth picture on this thread, it's the chip on the left: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=391358)

I also doubt it's the GPU as external monitors and TVs are fine. Also video plays back smoothly and there are no graphical glitches - just the panel backlight strobing. Hard to say if it's the panel or the motherboard though, some have the panel changed and keep the old mb and it's fixed, some a new mb with the old panel fixes it.

As for a refund, it's probably gone too late for both of us now, though this might help (if you're in the UK, otherwise similar laws may apply) - http://www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/consumers/fact-sheets/page38311.html - you could argue the system is not fit for use as trying to use it for half an hour gives the user eye strain and a headache.

Noone called me back, tried to call them today and got a recorded message saying the lines are closed - the website says they are open on a Saturday and my warranty covers this! Starting at University on Monday so it'll be awkward trying to find a slot to arrange the collection for.

Forgot to mention, but both engineers could see the problem before and after working on my system and they reported this to Dell, so it's acknowledged there definitely is a problem. Surely when a system is sent in they check for the reported problem before blindly changing parts, so surely they would check and see the problem is still present when finished - yet they send it back anyway still bad?

 

But thats the thing I've had both the panel and motherboard changed and it didn't fix anything. Mine was the same when I connected it to an external monitor it was fine when I tried to explain it to the guy on the phone that if it was the graphics card it would of showed up on the external monitor and I would of had graphical problems before which is not the case. I got fobbed off saying that it is the graphics card. I get the feeling when talking to these so called "Tech Support" guys they really know nothing and just follow standard protocol.

The engineer that came to replace the screen also noticed that it was there before and after I also showed him this thread and the one on Dells website that I'm not the only one with this problem. he tried to explain it to the person on the phone but seemed to get no where as their Technician there seems know everything except what he was telling him.

You'd think that but it doesn't seem to be the case, as they put the wrong screen in mine or the problem still persists – have you noticed that the screen brightness is always turned up after you receive it? - and if multiple systems/people are calling up/coming in to be repaired with the same problem you'd think they'll fine the actual problem instead of these quick fixes. it's like putting a plaster on a broken leg it won't fix it!

 

Same here, new panel and mb and not fixed, but some people have had one or the other changed and it's sorted! So it's hard to pin down.

My tech also explained the problem was still there once both parts had been changed and suggested over the phone it may be an inherent problem, maybe if enough of those calls are logged this issue will get elevated, investigated, fixed on new systems (maybe recalled) and hopefully fixed the first time a bad system is sent in.

The screen being brighter is the default setting (since he changed the mb), I had to set that back and the radio switch, virtualisation and F key behaviour settings
Oddly, the default setting on a new board for the SATA controller is IDE (it needs to be manually changed to AHCI, otherwise the eSATA port wouldn't work).
Coincidentally, I tried using it for a while on a higher brighness and it made no difference (except to the battery) - infact it probably made the eye strain worse, it can go REALLY bright.

(I take it you're trying to run yours on the lowest brightness too btw?)

Maybe they are only checking with the diagnostics which doesn't know the strobing up very well (or at all), when I send mine back I'll backup, restore the system to defaults, setup a login for them with the grey picture I posted above as the wallpaper, and leave a post-it on the screen telling them to login and check before and after.

 

Yeah I am running it on the lowest setting aswell (its to bright otherwise) I do hope its does get sorted ASAP as i start uni and need it.

I do hope it does get investigated properly as i'm fed up with it now, going through the same thing over and over again

 

Same here, induction next week, thankfully I'm not living away from home and I still have my main 'puter here.

Have you ever tried ringing the in home service on a Saturday? I got the lines are closed message yesterday and last weekend, I should ask for 1/6th of what I paid for the service back

 

even i have started noticing some waves like induction waves or magnetic waves on the right side .. what is it ??? i have 1080p AUO10ED screen too. these waves dont come all the time, they come and go ... !!!!

 

actually i didnt have this problem before .. i have been using my laptop for about 20 days. Now with dark grey background i can see flicker ...

 

Just a quick update had my motherboard and screen replaced (again) yesterday, problem still persist. Supposedly someone higher up is going to call me, I'll keep you posted and also mention that I'm not the only one suffering with this problem

 

I still hadn't been called so I called them today, best part of an hour on the phone running the tests again... and someone's going to call tomorrow to arrange another engineer visit, with LCD and mb this time. Which I'd rather do than send it away for a week, when I'm paying for in-home service...

Hopefully I'll get lucky and it'll be fixed this time (it does seem to be based on luck...)

 

hdplus, it's not magnetic or radio interference (I see it at home, work and University so it's not caused by nearby machinery or transmitters for example)...

 

Hi,
I have bought recently a dell studio 1555 in Italy from Mediaworld's shop, configuration:

CPU: p8600,
ati 4570
LCD led, AU Optronics, AUO 20EC , 1366x768 Truecolor
4GB
hd 320GB

there is a flickering on dark colors (grey, brown) when brightness level is 40% or below and I can see poor color stability with green too.
It looks quite similar at old CRTs monitors (do you remind the nienties?)
I have also a problem with pixell invertion : http://www.lagom.nl/lcd-test/inversion.php
4a o 4b are blinking

Dell have already sent a technician and I have had motherboard and lcd substitution but the problem is still there, the flickering is still there!
Finally the support has told me that the product is made to work in this way.

I have asked to speak with a supervisor or a dell technician and support 'll call me again in few days.

I am quite disappointed with Dell, I have seen lots of notebooks and never, never I have seen similar awful lcd quality.It looks a ridiculous toy not a Dell's pc.

I let you informed and updated.

 

We have two dell 1555 here, 900p and 720p screens no flicker, tried it all the way up and down and inbetween, I have a 3rd one coming in 2 days I will look for it on that one. So for 0 flicker issue.

 

@DRFP
Can you please post your exact configurations?
Video card models and exact lcd panels brand? (Is your an lcd led panel?)
You can find out the exact LCD model/details/brand using sisoft sandra.
This could be useful in case I have a chat with dell's support again.
Thanks

P.s: I suggest you to try with a few of plain colors at full screen:
http://cc.oulu.fi/~thu/jwz/03INDEX.html
choose dark colors, grey, dim grey, brown, bronze...

and test pixell invertion:
http://go.notebookreview.com/?id=525X832&url=http://www.lagom.nl/lcd-test/inversion.php