XPS17 L702 Possible Defective Screen?

I just got my L702x in the mail today. In the middle of windows updating I got a phone call and walked off. I came back and the screen went dim. Thinking it was a power option I moved the mouse but nothing changed. The screen was so dim I could just barely see that it finished updating and needed to restart so I managed to do so. When it restarted I proceeded like normal but a shadow on the screen caught my attention. Attached is an image of about where the shadow appears. It starts at the top edge and down in almost a teardrop shape. You won't see it in the pic which makes me think it's a hardware problem (screen). I've stressed all troubleshooting to the max and beginning to think I have a defective screen. Has anyone else seen this before? I've searched but couldn't find anything on it. I guess I'll have to send it back

Here are the laptop specs and place of purchase.

JR.com: Dell Computer Corp X17L-782ELS XPS 17 17.3" Notebook PC in PC Notebook Computers

Core i7-2630QM
8Gig RAM DDR3
1T HD (500x2)
NVIDIA GeForce 550M

 

I am sure it's the display's problem; I can't see it like you said. I haven't had the problem before but it's really sad. Hope everything gets fixed soon.

Good luck

 

Here is a better picture taken by my iphone. You can clearly see the shadow being casted.

 

Looks like bad display to me. Start a chat session at Dell tech support and explain the situation. They'll eventually dispatch a new display to a local tech who will contact you and schedule an appt to install it.

I prefer to contact tech support via chat partly because it eliminates any misunderstanding cause by accents, but mostly because you get written transcript emailed to you at the end of the session. You'll probably never have to use the transcript to prove to Dell's left hand what it's right hand promised you, but it can't hurt.

Until you are sure they have your address correct and the transcript arrives in your inbox, you may want to copy the text from the chat window and paste it in an editor or word processor. They don't send the transcript till you close the chat session.

You should be able to send them the iphone photo, and the process should go pretty quickly. In my case (I'm in the US) they've always overnighted the part, and I've been contacted by the tech no later than two days after they agreed to the dispatch.

The transcript will have the dispatch number they give you (which they should also email you in separate msg). You can refer to the dispatch number if you need to contact them, e.g. a 3-4 days go by and a tech doesn't call you.

 

Thank you for posting this. I figured I would have to deal with the company I bought it from. I'll be sure to get a chat started with Dell's tech support soon.

 

I have purchased a lot of Dells, some for me, mostly for work, and they've all been direct from Dell. However I've seen many posts here from people that have purchased them used or new off ebay and other sources, and Dell always provides support during the warranty period, just start the chat session and enter the service tag.

I think you'd only need to deal with the vendor if you wanted to return it for a refund.

Good luck, and let us know how it works out.

 

Doesn't look like a defective screen, could be dirt or a lint behind the inverter. But anyhow, it's under warranty and I think it's best to let them open it.

 

It looks like there is a bad sector of light output and it could be due to some kind of dirt or obstruction causing it. Its a brand new laptop however.

What is strange is I don't recall seeing this 'shadow' when it first booted up. It was only after using widows update that during the download/install process the screen acted funny (see first post). Upon rebooting, this 'shadow' was revealed. My guess, bad sector of output due to faulty hardware.

 

^^Can I ask you a simple question, or perhaps a favor? I posted this on the main forum but get no answer, either people don't know how to use their keyboards or they use their computer for something else.

The question:
Is there a 'status indicator' when the CAPS LOCK and NUM LOCK keys are on? If so, where, are they on the keys (couldn't see it on there) or on the lighted Control Strip underneath the screen? Can you activate and tell me where they are?

Thanks!

 

I don't have mine with me but I'm sure that there's a white LED on the caps lock key that comes on when caps are locked.

IIRC there's no hardware numlock indicator. Instead, there is a big square graphic on the screen with a "9" that comes on when you turn on numlock. It probably requires software to work, e.g. the Dell Quickset software, though I'm not positive.

 

I believe both illuminate when active, unilluminated when inactive. All other keys, give or take, should always be illuminated unless turned off manually. I just got the laptop and haven't used it much. I dont have it on me so don't take my word for it.

 

The most important features on the keyboard for me was CAPS LOCK & NUM LOCK status indicators on the keys, or at least 'lit' somewhere in front where I can see them at all times! I haven't receive my machine yet but loved most of the features. Certain things I left out after configuring it was realizing that most of the important stuffs are located on the rear of the laptop; like the HDD indicator light, power jack towards the back left! Man, why couldn't they at least put a couple of lights up front?

I looked at the owner's manual of the L701x and the CAPS LOCK indicator was is on the status indicator (next to the wifi light) when activated, but they didn't list any on this L702x manual. Really, you gain some but you sure lose some, if not more.

Thanks guys for the quick response!

 

I think this is Defective Screen. many user has this model, if other user not same problems, that much is defective screen. just easy.

 

I was wondering what that '9' was! Thanks.

 

I had a defective hinge on my laptop. Three weeks into owning it was making a cracking noise when opening the lid and closing it and it did not close all the way properly. I did the online chat with Dell and they sent a tech with the the new hinge and lid but he did not do anything but losing two screws at the bottom but it was still doing it. I called Dell up I did get someone with a accent but I understood him fine and he send out another tech which came with another new hinge and lid and he replaced my hinge and lid. So call them up or chat with them and tell them the problem. Just hope you get a tech that does the job. The second tech did a excellent job.

 

Update.. I talked (chat) with Dell support as well as J&R over the weekend. I had Dell confirm that it was in fact a bad screen and they they would take care of it. However, I had talked to J&R prior to Dell and they said they'd issue me either an exchange or full refund. I opted for the full refund. I'm going to throw in a couple more hundred for the l702x with the 1080p and 555m. I just have to wait for the package slip to arrive to mail this one off to J&R for the refund.

What do you guys think about Dell Refurbs? I found a sweet one on ebay that's a dell refurb and thinking of getting it. It's got the Sandy Bridge i7 2820qm in it. I don't think Dell offers that one anymore, at least not with the xps17 models. Suggestions?

 

Depending on the price and most importantly -- the Seller! Have you checked directly with Dell Outlet http://www.dell.com/content/segmenter.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dfo to see if they have anything there?