How do I fix my m1530 Grainy Screen?

Hi all,
this is my first entry....I've been following this grainy issue of the dell displays for last couple of weeks with a lot of interest and i have read a lot of threads.

I ordered a dell vostro 1500 with a WXGA+ (1440x900) display and it came with a AUO panel...this panel was good overall (colors and viewing angles were very acceptable) but it had the worst graininess i've seen... naturally i couldn't bear to live with it so i called dell and demanded an LG panel instead....the tech told me that the LGs are out of stock but he said that the LG panel was available on the higher resolution panel (1680x1050) -an extra $50- . i told him i'm willing to wait for the lg to be in stock again and that was that for that day (Friday).....I spent the weekend researching the quality of the SXGA+ (1680x1050) panels and i found that, of the two panels that Dell uses, the LG was also the best choice. (the other choice , the samsung also suffers from the graininess issue)...... after some thinking i called dell and asked them if they still have the SXGA+ LG (Dell P/N: XK309)in stock , and they did...then i asked if they also have the SXGA+ samsung (Dell P/N: RW985) in stock and they did (i was hoping that they wont)....so i asked the sales rep if he could assure me that if i ordered a replacement system with the SXGA+ display it would be an LG..he said he cant assure anything.. he said that dell builds its systems from parts supplied by many vendors and there was no way for him to request that a certain part be included in a new order....so i decided to risk it.. i was thinking if i do end up with a grainy smasung display, then i would just return the laptop and look for another company (eg HP) for a new laptop.
anyway, five days later the laptop arrives and it has a beautiful LG LCD. OMG, I've been reading a lot about how good the display look but you cant really appreciate how good it is until you see it first hand....the colors, the viewing angles are excellent, the whites are white.. no graininess in sight...however the LG has some slight light bleeding from the bottom but i really dont care... I'm in love.



attached are side-by-side pictures of the WXGA+ AUO display (1440x900) and the SXGA+ LG-Philips (1680x1050).

both screens have true life and are at maximum brightness.

the AUO is not that bad looking in the pictures but it is grainy as hell.

the last two pictures are close-ups of the LG

PS i live in Alabama and my laptop shipped from Dell's Warehouse in TN


enjoy

 

Hmmm... My order just shipped out today and I have been reading this thread. Even before I placed my order... It seems I lucked out ... Does the following information mean I got an LG?

System information:
1 DW306 LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY..., 15.4WSXGA+, TLF, LGP, V2

Thanks in advance...

 

I tried going to "My systems" in my account on Dell.com, but i wasn't able to find a service tag in order to see what display I got. Any suggestions where I can find the service tag before the laptop gets to me? I'm really anxious to see what display I got.

 

You have to look at the invoice... It will be just below your order information above the itemized breakdown...

Edit:
Nevermind... After a little more reading (on page 91)... It seems, I got lucky - LG it is ...

 

I sent an emailed invoice request. I couldn't find it in My account, so I think they didn't send it yet.

 

From the email Dell sent you - your initial email or any email after that:

Click on your order number... Then click invoice... Tag will be below the itemized breakdown...

 

YEAH BABYYY!!! Am I lucky or WHAT?!!!

"XK309 LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY..., 15.4WSXGA+, VIDEO ELEC. STDS. ASSOC...., TLF, LGP "

Boy I am HAPPY NOW!!!! WOOOW!!

I can't describe it in words. I was so anxious to see what display I got.

So, for others out there:

Order Date: 2/22/2008
Shipped Date: 2/28/2008

Just a little suggestion not related to the display, but to the quick shipping: when you configure a laptop, don't request instalation of any free software that you'll not use or can't get it afterwards. It will increase your "In production" time. At least that's how I did.

 

I guess it worked ... My part number is different from yours... I wonder why??? I'll find out soon enough... Overnight shipping for the win!!! Total time since ordered 4 days!!!

 

You can find a few P/N on the first page, post n. 9, but your P/N isn't listed there. I never heard of DW306 display.

 

Yeah, I can't find the DW306 anywhere, but it appears to be an LG. Perhaps a newer model?

 

Can I ask a quick question - when you guys are phoning up and talking to tech support, is it always the tech guys in india ? I am Uk based, and always seem to get put through to india . . . . . and dont really seem to be getting anywhere with getting an LG.

 

I never asked for a specific display. I once tried to change my order to the next lower resolution display because I read there are bigger chances getting a LG display, but didn't do it. The rep told me I have to cancel my first order and make a new one, which I didn't do.

Conclusion: I am very lucky.

 

I phoned during the day. Initially I got through to India. The guy asked me my service tag and I was put on hold on the XPS call stack which for me turned out to be in Ireland. I had to wait for 40 minutes on hold on that stack before someone spoke to me though.

I'll pm you the "special" number I used to get through on

The tech support guy told me that he couldn't see the XK309 part listed, but RW785 was listed, as was DW306 and NX380. I explained that if he sent out RW785 that they'd expect to find me calling back to return the laptop for a refund. So I asked him to send out anything but the RW785, and luckily for me I got the coveted XK309

 

Thanks for the PM !

Did you get BancTec coming to your house to replace the screen ? Did then manage to find you an XK309. how long did it take them ? Sorry for all the questions, its just that Dell ( in india ) have apparently ordered my a XK 309, and BancTec phoned me telling me that it will take time for it to be shipped in, so am on tenderhooks as it were !

Also, how recently did you get your LG XK 309, and was it actually part numbered XK 309, as I have heard that they are changing the part numbers for the 1680 x 1050 LG screens ?

R

mehul

 

Hi Mehul,

Yes I had BancTec come to my place of work. They came the day after I phoned Dell. The part was expedited from Dell's part centre in the UK. This was in the first week of february. The part is actually labeled as XK309 although on the order status and box it has a different code - Y274C. This I believe is a generic part order number for all 15.4" WSXGA+ Trulife screens. It took about 40 minutes to complete the job. The field engineer was quite nice about it all. He let me check over the part numbers on the box and also the LCD panel, and he unhooked the co-ax from the Samsung and plugged in the LG to let me view the screen before disassembling the lid to fit the LG.

 

Right, just been onto UK tech. They won't give me an LG (even though thats what I had first).... due to not being able to specify certain screens, citing that they are in packs.

Are there certain packs which have the LG screens in (1440 res) because I said I'd get back to him and say if I could find a way that I could get my LG back.

Apparently LG OVER SPECCED their LCDS by mistake.

lol.

 

How stupid to Dell think that we are ?!

 

Did you badger Dell Uk for the LG part, or did you go via the centre in india ? Any other tips to get the rarer than hens teeth LG !?

R

mehul

 

I called Dell up on the number I gave you, and some guy in India picked up the phone. He took my service tag number and my call was transferred to the XPS Tech Support call stack. After waiting about 40 minutes I spoke to someone on a really bad line. I got him to call me back. The phone rang and CallerID came back with 00353.....

I was really calm and compliant, and I followed his scripted hoops that he made me go through to diagnose the fault to his satisfaction. Eventually he was happy that there was a fault with the screen. He asked me to select from a list of faults that would come close to what I had. I can't remember exactly the list, but I told him the colours were off and the screen was dark (which it was). Note: "grainy screen" is not an option from the list.

We then came to the part of confirming the arrangements for my call-out. I gave him my work details. Heck why take a day off work to wait for the service engineer to turn up? You got XPS Premier Support which entitles you to NBD onsite warranty so why not use it? It was at this point I asked him if he could tell me what part numbers were available for my laptop with WSXGA+(see previous email for the list he gave me). I asked if he could see a part called "XK309" on his system he said "no". I had no reason to doubt him as he had been quite nice to answer my query, and I wasn't acting like a jerk back to him. So maybe phoning up and demanding a XK309 part is not the answer if the techs can't even see it on their system. What I did say to him in response was that I wouldn't mind any other part than the "RW785" part as I had heard that there were "some issues" with it. Thinking what the heck, the reports in the forum are that at WSXGA+ resolution you get either a LG or Samsung why not see what turns up if you ask not to get the offending part. He said he would see what he could do, and commented in my call "Not to supply RW785" also that he'd have to confirm this with his supervisor. I also added that if I got the RW785 part, that I would phone back to send the laptop back and ask for a full refund on it. It is worth remembering that in the UK you are well within your rights to do this no questions asked, within 10 days of receipt of mailed goods under distant selling regulations.

I also commented that I was getting electrical shocks and that I would like the 2-core wired adapter swapping out for a 3-core wired adapter. This was also added to my call.

All in all, despite the long wait on hold. My experience with the tech guy was pretty good. I guess the tip is to just come across as nice and compliant and let them "drive" first, and then when they realise that you are not there to give them a hard time, then politely ask them to help you (ie go off script).

 

Is RW785 the pack id? I'm looking to go back to Dell to ask for an LG pack id (they indeed can't see pack numbers)... I've got a two prong power supply, not noticed anything shocky, but I've not taken the plastic off yet.

 

Besides me there is another person that has it (DW306 - post #905), the hardware ID confirms it to be an LG display... I'm happy.

 

Here is a screenshot...

 

argh, how am I to get an LG screen... they say they can't order parts, just get packs

 

There idiots they can and should get it for you. The tech that came to work on mine called them up and they told the service tech that they only had to models of lcd both of them samsung, which is bull as the tech is coming back to install my lg at 7o'clock this evening and I will let you all know what I think about the lg's liquid splender. Just keep calling them and hope you get a good person that knows there stuff.

 

Well I have the guys email, plus his managers email....
Not sure how I'm going to push them. I tried several different tacts on the phone, all at dead end.

 

Alright. Here we go.

I finally got the amazing, the incredible, yes, the LG XK309 screen. It truly is as astoundingly better as everyone says. Which is unfortunate, because I think this entire issue is going to mar the general opinion of Dell XPS laptops to the detriment of the business.

Regardless, here's the lowdown on how I came out ahead.

1. Make the call (e-mail, chat, whatever). Nothing will happen unless you start the process. I went through the service call creation process twice, and even cancelled the first one before receiving the bad screen. It doesn't matter; just start the process.
2. You have to expect resistance. No company likes warranty claims. Also remember that the Indian reps you deal with are script-kiddies; they don't truly know any more than you, nor are they able to do much more than you. They are middle men, who are authorized to make the requests for parts exchange/returns, whereas you are not. I was also told, like many others, that XK309 wasn't available, etc etc.
3. You have to specify that you want the XK309. Regardless of if it's currently in stock, in a particular warehouse, whatever, you have to specify it. To whoever I spoke, I kept repeating that part number like a mantra. In fact, I always referred to it as "Dell Part # XK309." Maybe that helped, but regardless I told them I would wait if it was out of stock, and that I specifically would not accept any substitutions.
4. Get started early, because you only have 21 days before you can't keep this up for *free*.

Anyway, the tech who did the work (I was WAY more qualified, but I didn't want to pay for any mistakes) has only been doing this for 3 months. I nearly shat myself when he admitted this. Oh well. I let him work and it took him 2 hours to do the job. He had trouble with the Center Control Cover. He had to call tech support. We even had the service manual. Yeah.

In any case, that's my two hundred and fourty four cents. I'm done, but if anyone wants to contact me about this, feel free. I could go on all day...

Lawrence Winstead
IT Manager
DuraTech Industries

 

Well, here's my update. Tech called me with my replacement screen and I was not pleased to hear it was the same Samsung! Called Dell and they say their servers are down right now and they'll have to call me back in a couple of hours to try to resolve this. Wish me luck!
UPDATE!
Dell just called me back and was more than willing to replace it with an LG. Only problem was they rep could only find the code for LG 1440x900, gave him the right code (XK309) and behold: 1 LG display being sent my way! I'll keep updating until I get it all sorted out.

 

Laptop delivered at 5.10 PM today (02.29.2008) Way to go DHL!

Tuesday it will be in my hands hopefully.

 

Tech called me this afternoon and Dell had sent him a Samsung panel. Told him to ship it back.

Called Dell and they are now shipping me a replacement 1530. The tech put in a note requesting a LG panel but I won't hold my breath...


We'll see... Since I'm in my 30 day return window I can get quite a few replacements shipped until it's over and perhaps will end up with the LG panel.

 

The Dell tech just left my house and I am amazed by the LG I guess it really is worth all the trouble to see this gourgous screen I'm seeing things in a whole new light, whites are white again instead of dingy colors pop. Thanks forum members for all of your help

 

arent' the technicians at dell blind or too lazy to fix it? where is the testing process that they talking about First time i've heard a user with grainy screen

 

I am typing on my new XPS M1530 as we speak........

And it was shipped with.... a LPF010F!!!! I got an LG screen right out of the box! Maybe they really are starting to ship with less Samsung and more LG! I am SO happy that I dodged this bullet... my apologies to who ever else is having issues with their screen.

 

I just looked at my service tag on dell.com, and here is what the part number is:

DW306 LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY..., 15.4WSXGA+, TLF, LGP, V2

Come to think of it... I dont think I have seen this particular one before? Anyone else have this screen?

 

I haven't received my laptop yet (I'm in Iraq), but Dell emailed me my service tag. My specs show the same screen as yours. The DW306. Hopefully, I get it today or tomorrow.

 

I'm seeing details I never knew were there, you just have to see the LG to appreciate it, the pictures compairing the samsung and lg on the posts just don't do it, you have to see it, I thought my samsung screen was pretty good, and that I had a good one, untill the LG was installed and then I could tell what everyone one here was saying, it's so crisp and clean and flat out GREAT. I hope everyone on here with the POS samsung gets a proper replacement, it took me several phone calls, tech chats, emails and was a little frustrating, but it's worth it. I first started my quest for the LG last Friday and had the LG this friday and returned a samsung replacement on wednesday so I am happy with the speed at which Dell took care of this but not at how hard it was to get it thru to them. All in all I would still buy from dell in the future. P.S. keep us posted on how the LG DW306 looks.

 

I am curious to see a Samsung in front of me, but I don't know where I can find one here in my country. I got the LG from the beginning so I won't know how bad the Samsung is.

 

I'm in the UK and managed to get my WXGA+ 1440x900 AU Optronics screen swapped out for an LG 1440 one. It really is great

They do come in Packs here.... C930C was the part number for the 1440 Kit. Not sure if all in this kit are LG or I just got lucky.

See Post #901 on page 91 of this thread

 

yes, this is what i received on my replacement (3rd laptop) last tuesday. but now i have a whole new issue, sweet, dude im getting a 4th laptop! haha

 

Just curious whats the new issue?

 

in order for the dell techs to come out and change the screen , do you have to purchase the 1yr inhome warranty?

 

thanks to all for this thread

i will try and make it short. I've had it less than a week, 3 yr warranty, as if it matters...samsung ****ty screen

I talked with tech support, jumped thru the hoops, no go. He said he was not authorized to replace the screen and I would have to contact Cust. Support and return the laptop and try for a new screen.

I contacted customer support- lets see, have to return it and hope for a diff screen on the new one, umm, not at their discretion, just depends on whats in the warehouse. Gave them the part number I wanted Dell XK309, they told me that's what was in my computer. Told him no, went thru control panel stuff, display properties with him--> he talked with a technical person, said oh, he was mistaken.

Gawd, they really must think we are dumb!!!!!!!

Ok, finally did a dispatch, sending LG- XK309, and I specified no substitutions or I would return it.

I'll let you know

EDIT-- Location--> USA I am very disappointed with Dells support on this........If this is not resolved, I will return it and get a MBP.

Edit #2-
Just looked at my dell account--> here is what to be shipped tomorrow:

1- XK309 Liquid Crystal Display,15.4WSXVideo Elec. Stds. Assoc,True Life,Lg Philips Lcd $267.95

at no charge to me!!!!!!!!

 

1. I was told the samsung grain was part of the screen and not a defect.
2. Part k*** did not show in the system.
3. They could not help me get a dif. screen.
4. I was finally transf. to returns and suddenly a new system was on the way and they would request an lg screen. I was finally able to look it up today and here it is:

DW306 LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY..., 15.4WSXGA+, TLF, LGP, V2

Does anyone have this screen and what do you think?

 

Ok boys and girls

Did a live chat, I got names and numbers lol

Here it is, as I was not going to order my first laptop, and spend 1000.00 on it only to return it a couple days l8r

UK live chat.................
...............................................................................

16:44:50 simon t
Initial Question/Comment: re xpsm1530 screen display
16:45:40 System
You are now being connected to an agent. Thank you for using Dell Chat
16:45:40 System
Connected with Pradeep_Chandrasheka
16:45:45 Pradeep_Chandrasheka
Thank you for contacting Dell Sales Chat. This is Pradeep, I will be your Chat advisor today
16:45:50 Pradeep_Chandrasheka
Hi Simon
16:46:29 Pradeep_Chandrasheka
How can I assist you today?
16:46:53 simon t
I was looking at forums, and seens hundreds of complaint regarding the samsung lcd display. and people had to get new lg screens on the laptop. has this been resolved
16:47:55 simon t
they said the screen was grainy, and the tech person came out to the house and ordered another screen, was told this was only on the wsxga+ 1050 upgrade screen?
16:49:36 Pradeep_Chandrasheka
Is that you have already placed an order
16:50:27 simon t
Will be in two weeks, as I get paid on the 18th, so will be ordering for sure, just worried about the screen and returns
16:53:06 Pradeep_Chandrasheka
I need to check with this
16:55:24 simon t
Please, as do not want to spend 1000.00 and only to have a display that needs to be fixed, I can get you the link to the forum/s about this matter as there seems to be a lot of people. The screen people are talking about is the sec samsung, but the LG display is the one that is supposed to be really good and far supperior
16:55:51 Pradeep_Chandrasheka
The display is already been fixed
16:56:01 Pradeep_Chandrasheka
We are not supplying the old one
16:59:11 simon t
So you are no longer supplying the samsung dispalys, and it is all LG yes?
17:02:37 Pradeep_Chandrasheka
yes
17:03:26 simon t
Ok thats great, I have no problems sending through an order now for the 18th. Thanks for your help pradeep
17:04:42 Pradeep_Chandrasheka
Thank you for contacting Dell Sales Chat and allowing me the opportunity to assist you. Have a wonderful Day ahead.
17:08:42 System
Your agent has been disconnected from the system, you are now being transferred to your original queue. Please stand by...
17:08:42 System
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17:11:53 System
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Connected with Vijay_Nelli
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The session has ended!

 

Hmmmmmm DW306 looks like a new p/n to me, with that "v2" moniker on the end. Makes me wonder if it is the same part with a different number, and Dell just changed it to foil the people requesting it, or if it truly is a physically different screen product from LG?

-sd

 

I'm curious to see which LG screen will look better.. The v2 one or the XK309.

 

this is what we call fubar:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=225040

 

I and a few people on the forum have this display... I am very happy with it... No grain, a little bleeding (VERY LITTLE) from the bottom... I was going to send my rig back if I wasnt happy with the screen... Needless to say - its staying with me... I believe the first post of the DW306 is on page 91 of this thread...

Well, I hope that helps...

 

yeah, i have the same screen, just hope yours doesn't have MOTHERBOARD FAILURE. im sure dell would love me to spread the word, beware!

 

Dell has yet to let me down... I have quite a few systems from them over the past 8 years ... A perfect example is my recent purchase (PRODUCT) RED IN BLUE ... I super happy with my last purchase (M1530) - from order to delivery it took them less than 4 days - LESS THAN 4 DAYS!!! That is just crazy fast!!!

I havent been on the boards much, sorry for going OT but what is the MB failure?

 

Nevermind... I read your thread... You have some really bad luck with Dell - thats just sad... I hope you get everything resolved and it seems things are going in your favor... Plus, the bag... I want a bag too ...