M17xR3 keyboard touching the screen

I bought a M17x13 not so long ago with a few issues. First things first...

The first problem was the sleep/shutdown problem. It didn't shutdown or go to sleep. That issue was solved by changing the motherboard. And it was done pretty quick.
Before the technician came to replace the motherboard I noticed that there was some oily vertical spots on the screen. I wiped it away thinking that I probably touched the screen or something. I noticed it once again after closing and opening the lid. So I thought I wait for the technician and tell him the problem. If the keyboard was not assembled correct I hoped that the motherboard change would fix it. It did not. The technician told me to contact dell about it. So I did. Sent them som pictures of spots on the screen. There is not yet any scratches on the screen as I do not close it without putting something between the screen and keyboard. for the photos I used water on the keys and closed the lid.
They sent the technician to change the keyboard and the palmrest. And that did not change anything. Still the same problem. The technician also tried bending the keyboard, but it did not work. He called dell and told them that it was not solved by changeing the parts. He told me that they will contact me about how to go further with the problem. I also replied to the last email from them telling that the problem was not solved.
They said that the keyboard was completely flat by word from the technician. Something it was not and I used a ruler to show them that it bulges upwards in the middle. But I see it also just by looking at the keyboard.
The reply I got then was ridiculous. To solve the problem I must use a blanket between the screen and keyboard. They also asked if I had any performance issues caused by this.
They would gladly change the LCD when it got scratched.
This I see as a temporary solutions and not good enough as I paid a good amount of money for the laptop.

Has anyone else noticed this problem?
you can easily check it by wetting your finger and touching the keys (In my case around RTYUFGH) closing the lid and open it again.

 

Same problem here.
But I don't really close the laptop lid so I guess it's not that much of an issue for me.

On a side note, I still have that "onion skin" that came with my M17X-R1.
I guess I'll use it when I need to close the laptop.

You better have it replaced now while you have Dell CS' or technician's attention.

 

I agree that it is not that big a deal, but I think there should be no problems on a brand new laptop for that price.

I have used the "pillow cover" it came in for now.

I might have a go at trying to bend the keyboard so that it doesn't touch the screen, but if I can get Dell to fix it I prefer that

 

I actually carry a cloth around with me and I place it on the keyboard when I need to close the lid... it works, not sure its ideal.

Jeff.

 

I just keep cleaning it

 

I thought I'd give you an update on my issue.

I got an email from support that they would like to take the laptop in the service depot (in Sweden). I made the arrangement so that they would pick it up today (UPS). They would supply me with an empty box and bring back the box with the computer.
Of course they came late today so I could have went to work if I would have known. The idea that I loose money because of their incompetance is irritating.

So when the delivery boy (more like older man) came with the box he was suprised I brought the laptop to the door. I told him he is supposed to take it back with him. He refused and said that he didn't get any info about that. I said ok, and cursed Dell silently until the door was closed. Then cursing them out loud!

When I got back in I opened the box and found a Proforma Invoice (it's needed when you send something out of the country. As I'm in Norway and repair depot is in Sweden) and a note about how to pack the computer and what I was supposed to do next. It was written in bad norwegian so I didn't quite get what they tried to say, but it seemed to me that the delivery boy was going to supply the barcode note to stick on the box and take it back. Called the delivery boy and told him this and he came back. Gave him the Proforma invoice and he still refused to take it. He then called his boss tho see if there was something he could do. Nothing! Trying not to curse the poor I sent him away, again curising Dell. This time out loud before the door was closed.

Called support and got the transfermania and the endless repeating of the service tag. I was shaking cause of the madness and was even more pissed by the waiting music. When I finally got to speak to someone, the call was cut off! Waited a minute to see if they called me back, but there was only silence. From the phone at least. I was cursing madly
Again through the transfermania before I could explain myself. The guy didn't understand the problem at first, but when he did, he told me that they are supposed to deliver the box and then the day after pick it up again. I said that do you really expect me to loose money for two days work just to get my laptop picked up? He just wondered what I wanted him to do with it. I told him I have not time to be home for this crap. He then told me he would check what he could do and call me back. Tomorrow when he get an answer. He also managed to blame me for calling so late, hinting that I should have called earlier today. F$½¥$g imbesill! Hard to call before when the delivery boy was here five minutes before calling. I said ok, knowing that there is nothing for me to get from this guy.
I was so pissed off not knowing where to put myself or what to do. So I got the briliant idea that I could fix it myself I am no stranger to computers and I'm a technician myself, working with medical equipment.

I had a clue what could be the problem and brought out the axe and started chopping until I got the keyboard loose Ok. So I just got the screwdriver...
Since this is allready a long post I'll say quick what is the problem. The imbesill that designed the computer didn't manage to design the cable on the keyboard correctly. On the end (where it connects to the motherboard) of the widest cable on the keyboard there is hard plastic so that the cable is easy to plug in the connector. The hard plastic goes to far up on the cable and therefor pushes the keys up when the keyboard are in place. Since I got the keyboard the technician changed when he was here (So in fact I would have lost three days of pay), I tried to bend the plasticso it would not push the keyboard upwards. Voila! Problem solved!

So it is in fact a design fault. They could have made the cable like it should have, or they can lift the screen a little bit and make the rubber spacing on the screen a little higher to compensate for the lift.

So know I'm a little bit happier, but still pissed at Dell for the lovely customer treatment. Now I have to go see my shrink so I don't blow my fuses....

 

Hmm... I do not see my key(s) touching the screen when I closed it. I might have to give it a more closer look I guess

 

I got a custom-cut cloth from shaggymac to cover my keyboard as well. Works great and I always have a cloth handy.

Also, I'll probably take the keyboard off at some point soon to try and level out some of the flex with some pads.

 

Well i'm seriously jealous of ur state , i got the same problem but my problem is worse...
Since i travel alot with my laptop i get to close the lid alot and even few times a day. , at first i got that little scratch near the cam and thought oh well not serious i probably scratched it somehow , later on my screen got really scratched by that damn keyboard and as i'm away from home (army) for the past month i cant order any screen protect..
I plan on speaking with dell since i paid good money for my laptop and it shouldnt get scratched that way by the damn keyboard (i keep the computer in my everki beacon and even so the keyboard badly scratched my screen.)

Btw do u think they will replace my screen or do any other thing to help me ? since those scratchs are really bothering me and they are totally not my fault.
btw after i found out the scratchs are caused by the keyboard i started putting cloth between keyboard and screen but thats a temp solution (till i get screen protecter) since its really annoying , but i want to save my screen from getting more scratches.. (

 

My screen also touches, but not the keyboard, the palm rest. I can see the outline of the touchpad on my screen just below the camera.

My screen also has a few dings from what looks like may have been dirt that got compressed between screen and palmrest. I'm not sure if it came that way refurbed, or it happened while I had it. It's only been to work a few times, and the rest of the time at home. I think the orion messenger bag applies too much pressure to the lid of the laptop.

The lid is poorly designed. It should have better stoppers. or a recessed screen.

 

m18 has this problem too but not the m17x-R2.

 

@Mj082
They most likely will change the screen. Call or send them an email. If you send an email I would recommand you to take photos and attach it since they will ask about it.

@Luxferro
It seems the designers didn't really think things through before finalizing the product. You would believe that they would have learned the tricks after a few years of making laptops...
The monitor itself is recessed. But that doesn't help when they have to change the whole monitor assembly when the protector glass/plastic get scratched. Lifting the lid a little bit and putting better stoppers on it would help.

 

My m17xr3 is from mid september. It doesnt have a dedicated led on the alienhead and also 2/3 markings on the cover from the paintjob (very small)

Could you give me some more details on how to fix it because my screen also touches the keyboard. on the very last moment (you hear it and I tested it by making the keyboard a little wet closing and opening it. The screen is wet in the middle).

Some keys dont seem completely straight (for example the "t" and the "g" keys are somewhat turned anti-clockwise. The spacing between the keys are okay but the markings on the keys are not put on straight.

What should I do?

 

Mine touches as well, but I've since put a screen protector on it, so I'm not too worried about it.

 

Basically what happens is the little rubber strip across the edges of the panel get pushed into the lid, then you start getting contact between the screen and rest of the laptop.

My laptop was recently serviced. motherboard and screen replaced. and now it's not contacting because the rubber strips re-adjusted themselves when the LCD panel was popped out. Over time, and using the Orion Messenger bag (which applies a lot of pressure to the lid of the laptop), the strips will be pushed in again.

I'm thinking of finding little rubber stick on bumpers, and putting one in each corner of the screen. If you somehow get a grain of sand, or other debris in there when closed, it could pit the LCD glossy cover. It happened to my last screen.

 

I'm in the same boat above. Also in the Army and the scratches have gotten pretty bad. Did you end up contacting Dell? If so, what was the result?? Did they replace your screen?

 

Has anyone gone as far as to contact Dell and see if they would fix the problem?

 

I also have the same problem! I work away from home and take laptop with me ,and it's very annoying cleaning screen all the time...

 

This is my setup atm for keeping the screen protected and it does a pretty good job.

 

what is it?

 

carbon fiber I got from another member here on NBR.

 

oh ok sweet!

 

Alright. I guess I'll contact Dell and have to follow up with all of you.

My next question would be, does the whole LCD need to be replaced or can you just replace the plastic face over the LCD?

 

Its all one big piece so you going to need a new assembly. Should take like 10-15 mins to swap out depending on the tech.

 

that is pretty cool...is that adhesive or not, how much, and does it actually protect the rig?...aka the soft-difficult to clean soft touch areas..(trying to build up a list of accessories)

 

yup its got adhesive and it protects both the palm rest from hand oils and such and actually razes the screen enough when its closed that its not touching the keyboard or touchpad. Its not hard to clean, just gotta make sure you clean the edges.

 

Thanks mate..but does the adhesive damage the fascia ,cuz I saw on eBay that this apparently can be had as a cover for keyboard, top panel (behind LCD) and the bottom panel (where all the vents and personalized shield is)

 

I like the palm rest insert. Please post link(s) to items on eBay? On two previous computers I've used over several years the palm rests have gotten noticeably worn.

 

just buy ultra clear 3M screen protector.

 

I made it from regular carbon fiber another member here sent me. Not sure where you can buy it at, but he said he got his from an automotive shop.

 

well therre are these

alienware skin | eBay

 

Original post for the faux carbon fiber sticker thingy here...

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...edia-bar-scratching-screen-3.html#post8094757

 

I've seen these posted before. Too bad they are all from China. I'll probably look into a set of the carbon fiber when I get to England. If anyone has put this on their laptop, please post some pics.