How do I fix my m1530 Grainy Screen?

My freind has a M1530 that arrived a week ago, it had a grainy screen and he did just what one of the first posts said and knew it was the samsung so went on dell chat and arranged for a technician to come and replace it with an LG screen by telling them the part number, consequently it was fixed and he now has a very nice screen

 

That's good news. I think what I may do is schedule a replacement with my new one and visit relatives to the East of me to get a different technician. We'll see.

 

Here's what my tech took apart (semi-permanently ):
1) LCD itself (came with a long scratch and gouge) and surrounding frame (not the whole lid).
2) The piece above the keyboard with the power and media buttons (broken now).
3) Two side pieces that go over the hinges (one now broken).
4) The keyboard (one key broken).
5) the bottom compartment doors leading to the RAM and WLAN cards.

That's it. There is no reason to take the whole latptop apart -- its bad enough as it is.

 

I booted up the replacement system. It does have a panel made by CPT, which I haven't seen mentioned before for the M1530. The CPT panel is not nearly as nice as the LG. The CPT has noticeable backlight bleed and the colors seem washed out. The LG has much better contrast and blacks look much better. The replacement has the wrong hard drive, so it's going back.

 

Have you seen the SEC screen? If so, how did it fare compared to the CPT screen? Was the CPT screen grainy at all? Thanks for the input.

 

I've just emailed my account managerand told her I'm sending my M1530 back for refund.

My 1440x900 screen is of poor quality graphics despite the 256MB graphics adapter set to ‘high quality’ settings and I shall likely wait until a suitable 1680x1050 screen is available in the UK before committing to a future purchase as the 1440x900 just feels to clunky by far. Oddly this was the reason I was going to cancel the order in the first place - she couldn;t give me the same screen as you US guys.

Nice machine once reinstalled clean, but poor build quality in many respects in my opinion.

 

Who here has had a technician successfully replace their samsung screen with a better one without any other damage being done to the computer.

It seems like these technicians kinda dont know what their doing. Any one else agree?

 

It's pretty much what i recall my tech doing except he did not remove the screen frame, just took the whole screen assembly off the laptop (he was replacing the motherboard not thhe screen).

Much as I hate to say it I think I will hang on to the Samsung screen (DPN RP636), the colours are really much better than the LG and adjusting gamma couldn't improve the LG much either. I watched a couple of wmv files running in sync late last night and the Samsung won hands down. That and my previous "experience" with the tech's visit has convinced me it's not worth swapping them over.

In my case the Samsung isn't grainy, just not as bright as the LG. I can't tell you exactly what model it is as device manager shows it as generic. I only know the part no after checking my service tag.

 

I wonder if you really have the Samsung, regardless of that part number. Here is a way you can find out. Download the free Everest Home edition
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4181.html. Once installed in Everest, click on Display and then Monitor and then Monitor ID. Mine says LPLF300, which is the LG. My old monitor said SEC3350.

 

Well, my tech had to use the service manual that I had downloaded onto my home machine... and that still wasn't adequate.

 

Did he make scratches or anything?


hmm nvm, i read your post above..

 

I've downloaded and run it but under monitor it's not displaying anything. I clicked on Monitor Name (nothing else listed) but it doesn't seem to be a button control and nothing happens. I've previously checked it in Hardware IDs in Device Manager but it came up as "default monitor" there.

 

I haven't seen the Samsung (SEC) screen. The CPT screen didn't appear grainy, but it wasn't nearly as nice as the LG for the reasons I mentioned.

 

You are looking in the right place, though, cause it should be under Hardware IDs. It is very strange that it doesn't say what it is.
EDIT: I was thinking, and since you have the 1280x800 Samsung, it is possible then that your model won't show up in the Hardware Ids like our 1680x1050s do.

@smoothieboy -- thanks for the info.

 

That's what I'm thinking too but it's funny how my other M1530 with the 1280 x 800 does show the ID. Maybe Dell are trying to hide it to stop all the requests for screen swaps? At least in my case the Samsung seems OK but I've only seen one example.

 

I just went to Best Buy and looked at the MacBook Pro with LED. I'm not really all that impressed, but I wasn't looking at it side by side, to be fair. I was considering getting one to replace my M1530. Of course, the Pro comes in 1400x900. I prefer the greater resolution of 1680x1050. And in the Macs there is very little customization possible. The tech there said you can't change the HDD so you are stuck with a slow 5400 rpm hdd, because that is all Apple offers. I think the colors look sharper on the Samsung than on the MacBook, and gaming and movies look pretty great on the Samsung, it's just white's really and in some cases gross light leakage. There is no light leakage on the MacBook and blacks are very black.

 

Nice comparison sonic...do we know who manufactures the MacBook LCD by any chance?

 

I put in some thought about the original question on this thread... Given all the hassle and running around that Dell has caused for me because of this issues, I think the best answer on how to replace a grainy screen is to just send the notebook back. I didn't want to have to use this option as the computer is great, I especially love how quiet it is. Unfortunately, Dell hasn't listened to what I want from day one. So to have a voice in the market it would seem that votes must be cast in dollars. I am casting my vote, all 1,700 of them.

Edit: I should mention that the replacement parts (screen, power supply) haven't even shipped. When I last spoke with a tech a day ago I was told the order for my new screen was just processed despite my request for it on the 15th. They further explained it would probably ship on Monday which seemed odd to me considering it would be MLK Day.

 

I thought it was time for me to chime in... I have been following this thread for two weeks now... Over ten days ago I contacted an XPS rep about my screen (samsung) very grainy, crystal like on any light or white backgrounds. I told them all the info I had from this thread... I told them I knew that for the 1680x1050 there were two main manufactures samsung and LG he agreed... I went through the normal replacement crap and then asked him to check which one was going to be sent to me as a replacement he then said he couldn't tell because it was part of a screen replacement package... I asked him kindly to dig further... He did and then came back and said the only option in his system for replacement is the samsung... I told him I would only except an LG as it has a higher customer satisfaction and after paying $1600+ for a new laptop, that receiving a sub par lcd is unacceptable. I once again gave him the part number XK309 and waited... He had to get it approved by a supervisor... It was approved and know I am waiting for it to arrive... I have checked my dell account manger order screen over and over and it has shown the order in progress then cancelled. Then a new order number in progress then cancelled... This has happened five times! I called them back and they told me the order was put in wrong and after going through all the hoops again they said that they got it right and the order should go out now?... We'll see it has been long to get this part then it took to get the computer! With Monday being a holiday for most I don't think I will see it before Tuesday at the earliest. If and when it finely arrives I will take pictures of the new before it is installed and old screens after it is removed!

 

I have the SEC3550. I jumped through all the hoops and finally they shipped me a new screen. It came with an order number and I just checked it through Dell.com and this is the parts list:

Quantity Item Number Description
1 XK309 Liquid Crystal Display,15.4WSXVideo Elec. Stds. Assoc,True Life,Lg Philips Lcd
1 0797C Customer Kit,Documentation, Airborne

It has shipped and I will know shortly if everything is ok.

 

If anyone in the US is concerned about DHL delivering on MLK Day (21 Jan), don't be. Just talked to a nice lady at DHL and they will be making deliveries tomorrow.

 

I just found and looked up mine by the Service Call / Dispatch Reference #
Y274C SERVICE KIT..., LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY..., 15.4WSXGA+, VIDEO ELEC. STDS. ASSOC...., TLF

NOW I'M PISSED OFF!!!!!!!!!! I have spent over 10 days waiting for this to be fixed and five + hours on the phone with these people!
I have already told them if I don't get an LG screen they get a laptop back!
I'm not going to "settle" for a piece of crap lcd that is worse then a $500.00 budget HP!

 

Hello all,
Does the Samsung screen comes to Europe XPSs as well? Is it possible to tell them you want an LG screen while you order the system for the first time, if you have the part number, or it comes only as replacement?

 

This might sound like a dumb question.. but hwo do you change your gamma settings and stuff like that.

 

No expert here, but I saw someone post info about it at post #142 in this thread.

 

Right click on your desktop and select nVidia control panel. Then go into display settings and you should see brightness, contrast, gamma, etc.

 

So are all SEC3350 screens bad? because i have one in 1680x1050 and i personally think it is pretty good. i dont know what 'grainy' means to you guys and i certainly dont notice any abnormalities with my laptop screen.

if the SEC screen is bad then i cant wait to see a LG screen.

 

I've seen a couple of posts from people claiming their SEC3350 was good, so maybe there are good ones out there. If you are looking at a white background, it almost looks like you smudged greasy fingerprints all over the screen. It sort of sparkles different colors too, even when it should be just white.

 

I don't think all the Samsung screens are bad. I do think all of them have the graininess, but that some people don't mind it or notice it. I don't find my notebook unusable and am probably going to keep it. Everything is very viewable and it's plenty bright and colorful has very little light leakage and games and movies look great. Yes, I'd like the graininess not to be there. I'd also like the screen to project a life-like realistic 3-D hologram. All I'm saying is just because it could be better doesn't mean it's good enough. I really don't find it "horrible". I also have my doubts about the LG screen. And unfortunately Dell has become pretty proactive about not letting people request the LG screen. I can't find any other notebook out there that I want at the moment so I'm thinking I'm going to compromise on the XPS until something better comes out. I will probably jump on the LED version when that comes out, so look out for a like new XPS on ebay in the next month

 

Hold on, what are your doubts about the LG screen. I just heard it's much brighter and clearer than the Samsung but the colors just don't look as good.

 

I have had both now, and the colors are at least as good on the LG, if not better. Additionally, the color appeared (subjectively) to be more true on the LG.

 

My doubts are based on previous experience with Dell LG screens, fact that Dell doesn't want to put them in M1530s, and that someone else posted that the LG model was actually a lot cheaper from Dell spare parts than the Samsung. At any rate, considering the stress of dealing, repeatedly, with Dell customer support, I give up on trying to get the LG screen. At this point either the notebook I can easily get from Dell is good enough for what I paid for it and for what I want, at a minimum, or it is not. Trying to get a company to bend to my will when it doesn't want to, is not worth the effort in this case.

 

Boy!!... You all have seemed to have got into a soup on the samsung screen. Thanks to angelicvoices I was directed to this forum. and read through all the posts.

It seems everybody is convinced that the samsung screen is bad and the LG is better. I was planning to order my 1530 this week. But looking at all the problem I have decided against it for the time being.

Just one more request: Can somebody post pictures comparing the two screen. That would benefit all of those who haven't yet got a chance to look at it. Thanks in advance

 

I don't have pictures, sorry, but
I have a dv2000 with an LPL screen (LG)
and this 1530 with a samsung screen...
putting them side by side, clearly this screen owns it...
Is it just me, or is there absolutely NO graininess on the screen?
there is no blacklight bleeding at all...
I must have gotten a lucky screen, OR
the screen EVERY OTHER 1530 buyer gets, and DOES NOT come to NBR and complain....

Now, I have seen the grainy screens people have posted here, and man, they look bad
if you have a grainy screen, definately, get it replaced ASAP, you paid for a good notebook!

 

I actually had a technician replace the Samsung with an LG and it looks much better. At this point, it appears everything is in working order (at least nothing is visibly broken). I agree with SeeingWhite that the screen is very good not amazing but ten times better than the Samsung.

 

That's good to here. I am getting my Samsung screen replaced with an LG. I just really hope he doesn't break any other parts on my laptop.

Now the only other thing I need is a 3 prong power adapter... once it gets made of course.

 

I'm not sure we are all talking about the same res screens here. For what it is worth I have tested the WXGA 1280 x 800 Samsung "generic" against the LG LPL0301 and it's the LG I'm sending back tomorrow.

I stuffed around with brightness, gamma, and digital vibrance on the LG to try and match the colours on the Samsung but it can't quite get there. It's almost as if it has a light bleed wash if that makes sense.

They do make 3-prong adapters, at least in Australia. I have tried both the 65w and 90w (default) power pack in a 3-prong version, all good. They are Lattitude series adapters so they should be readily available.

Good night, time for bed!

 

I replaced the screen twice. NO scratches. two diffrent technicians. did good job. BUT the screen still not the one I have ordered. wrong resolution.

 

My AUO wxga+ screen had very little grain on but had it replaced today, not for the grain but because it started turning green and flickering every now and again. The technician left literally 10 minutes ago, did a good job took about half an hour and got the LG screen as a replacement, i must say this screen is absoloutely stunning compared to my last one, absolutely no back light bleed and zero grain. I am one happy customer

 

I just got a recorded phone message from Dell saying my screen replacement was back ordered for 3-5 days. So much for that Next day warranty service I paid for. It's been a week now.

 

I received a similar message, although they said my delay was due to incliment weather.

And for the record, all of my posts about screen resolution have been pertaining to the 1680 x 1050 resolution. The Samsung is supposed to be the faulty one for that resolution and the LG is supposed to be the really nice looking one.

 

I read this thread a couple of times, called tech support this evening, the guy told me that part number XK309 would work and that he will order it for me. When i logged online to check the status, it shows part number Y274C as the one that is being sent out. Should it be XK309 or Y274C? Should i call back?

 

I received the same phone message about my screen being placed on back order. I hope it is a coincidence that the delivery date falls just days after my 21 day return window now... I've been waiting 13+ days for it now!

 

I think so many people have been replacing their screens that there is a parts shortage. The customer service rep I talked to said that 1) there is only ONE screen replacement available at this time (he couldn't tell me which brand it was, except that he said it wasn't a Samsung, lol); and 2) I also received a message that mine was on back-order for 3-5 days. My M1530 was sent around the 9th or something, so I don't think they're trying to trick you on the 21-day thing.

 

you guys are at least getting a screen replacement. When I called and complained of a grainy screen, their automated computer diagnosis crap thing they must use said, "OH! all he needs is a new cable connecting the LCD to the motherboard!!" BS.....

 

I'm optimistic that since they are on back order, it means we will get new screens, possibly with improvements.

 

Any help??

Thanks.

 

R0man3, Y274C is a generic part number that merely represents the type of screen, not the specific manufacturer part. That part order could be filled by any part fitting the specifications. You can call back to request it be filled by the LG if you want. Some people succeed, some people don't.

 

My question is, how does everyone else know that they're getting the XK309?

 

When you finally do get a dell csr to send you a new screen, there is an order number associated with it. you goto dell, look for status on that order number and it should say xk309 on the parts list.