White Spot on M11x Screen

Hey Everyone. I just got my new M11x and it's fantastic. I've heard a lot about the hinge and screen-touching keyboard problems and luckily after two weeks neither of these issues have cropped up. However, ever since first turning on my machine I've noticed a faint white 'blob' on the lower left edge of the screen. I left it for a while to see if it would disappear, but it hasn't budged.

It's definately not a stuck or dead pixel, as it's only visible on white or very light grey backgrounds. It's not TOO bad, as I can't see it while playing games or anything, but it annoys me seeing it when browsing the web. So two things:

Firstly, would this be covered by my warranty? Secondly; I've heard that Dell uses refurbished parts when replacing them. Obviously this issue may require a replacement of my screen. I feel really iffy about having my new screen replaced with a refurbished one just a few weeks after getting my laptop. Paying £1000 for a new laptop, then having Dell shove a refurbished screen onto it isn't something I'd be willing to accept.

So what are people's experiences with getting their screens replaced? I'd be worried it would be scratched (I've even heard of people having to accept a silver screen on a black M11x!) and nonetheless, the principle of paying for a new screen and getting a refurbished one put on so soon just feels like a rip-off. Any advice on what I should do?

 

I don't think they will replace your screen with a refurbished one. if you bought your system refurbished, then they might replace your screen with a refurbished one, otherwise it should be brand new. of course there really isn't a way to tell unless the screen has scratches. haggle for your new screen.

 

It would appear to be uneven light shining through from the rear LED's - so yes there is a fault with the display and it's not stuck pixels. Unsure what the policy would be from dell on this but clearly you should try and have this replaced.

The good news is that your hinges will probably fail anyway so if they turn you down on the replacement give it 6 months and you will have a new display.

I know it's the cynic in me!!!!!

 

Whether or not someone purchased a new notebook from Dell versus a refurbished one has no bearing on whether or not replacement parts come from new or refurbished stock. And generally customer service reps have zero say in where parts are drawn from unless you're talking to someone way way up the support food chain that is going to take the time and effort to pull all of the strings and levers necessary to ensure that happens. For the front-line, non-enterprise support reps that's very much outside of their control. I've dealt with Dell, Lenovo and HP support for years and they all utilize refurbished parts whenever possible.

 

Hey, I just wanted to add me to the list of the blob group. Just got my LCD replaced, last night while organizing music I noticed a small blob in the left bottom corner. It looks like there is something pressing on the screen from the backside. Im going to live with it since the new screen came with the wwan antennas.

 

Thanks for the replies everyone. ejohnson - that sounds like exactly the same thing I have (even the location - bottom left). It does look like something is pushing on the screen.

I rang Dell. They were pretty helpful; the guy said he'd definately replace it, and that he'd do his best to get me a new screen. I sent him pictures and he also said it looks like something pushing on the screen. I'll be away for a few weeks so we arranged to get it changed after that. In meantime we'll see whether the hinges fail or not!

 

I had absolutely same thing when i bought mine. It became less visible after some time, but still i asked for replacement.

 

Make sure that the do agree to send out the entire LCD assembly. Replacing the panel itself means the tech will have to crack open the sealed assembly which is very like going to lead to dust, a dicey re-sealing of the bezel and increase the potential for things to go wrong.

 

Old topic but I have this on my new M11x. Is it worth the hassle getting the whole screen replaced?

 

I lived with mine for a few months till the new hinges came out, then called in and got a new one. I would have them replace it if I were you.

 

Was is a straightforward job?

 

Yeah super easy. Tech came in, took apart the laptop in my office and put in the new screen, hooked it all up and was done.

One thing that I didnt like about it though was that my "white spot" screen had the wwan antennas in it, the new one did not I had ordered a wwan card earlier that week for it, so now I need to install my own antennas.

 

Oh I see!

Did the new screen come already assembled or did the tech have to assemble even the plastic casing around the screen?

 

New screen comes as one part. Screen, bezel, shell, wires, hinges.

They also like to install a new power button trim there also.

 

Did u manage to install the WWAN antenna wires?

 

Not yet, I am going to be installing external antennas for my wifi and will end up just using the old wifi antennas for the wwan card.

 

How did it go?

 

wwan card should be here tomorrow, waiting on a few more parts befor I take the computer all apart to install everything. But I ended up ordering a few new internal antennas also since I got a bigfoot 1103 (3 antenna) card to replace my bigfoot 1102 card... all in all I will have 4 internal antenna and 1 external one

 

I'm still thinking if I should ask Dell to replace my screen and hinges just for this white spot.

How do you install the WWAN antennas?

 

Take computer apart
remove lcd panel from rest of laptop
Now you need to pull the clear cover from the screen. Its held on with little clips and double sided tape.
Start at the round spots that cover the hinges, pop those apart and work your way around. Once thats off, order the wwan antenna set ( Alienware M11x parts)
remove your wlan antenna and install the wwan/wlan combo unit (much easier than just installing the wwan)

Then put it all back together and boot her up.

 

Emailed Dell and they're going to replace my LCD assembly and hinges.

I asked for the assembly with the WWAN cables. Hopefully everything will turn out fine.

 

Got my LCD assembly/hinges replaced. Very happy with the new screen. Better viewing angles compared to my previous one.

 

My AUO105C panel developed a white blob too. Out of warranty and I've already had my LCD assembly replaced (while under warranty) with the newer hinge design. Going to ring up Dell and see if they'll replace. Not terribly hopeful that they will.

 

I haven't got my "free one" yet, and I am looking forward to a "free one". (Clint Eastwood - Unforgiven)

I figure if I hold out long enough, I may get something really cool like a monitor with three antenna or something.

Yes, I dream big.

Also a sort of 'warranty' (given I'm so way out of warranty) if the screen does deteriorate in some way.

Oddly, given the dramas of others, my monitor is still going fine... touch plastic.