Grainy Samsung WSXGA+ replaced with LG = Perfect!

simple send it back.. look elsewhere like i am now.. del is now saying they will not do these replacements for this problems any more from what the last rep i spoke with told me.. they claim there is not a problem

 

I just had my screen replaced today, for the second time. I went from an AUO2077 to a CMO1538 (Chi Mei Optoelectronics). The screen is bright, has good viewing angles, and....no graininess! This laptop is a pleasure to use now...every single dialog, web page, etc. looks crisp and clean. Apparently, LG screens aren't the only ones which can look good. The one possible issue is that there are two spots with a bit of light leakage (one on the left middle, and one at the top of the screen). Both are visible only when the screen is black, and only from certain angles (ie. they do not disturb viewing when looking at the screen normally). This is a minor issue I think, and I'm a picky guy.

As for why I'm posting this...after my first replacement (AUO to another AUO), I used the contact service Dell has on their web site for when an issue has not been resolved. I discussed the LCD issue, and how I would like a specific panel (LG) as a replacement. I sent the message some time ago and all but forgot about it. About ten days ago I received an e-mail from an escalation manager, who said he would try to find the panel. After some e-mail back and forth, he told me that he could get a specific panel sent, but only the CMO panel was available. I decided to give it a shot. It's actually not even available in Canada, apparently; he said he had to have it ordered in from the states.

The point is, he was indeed able to get a specific panel ordered; anyone who tells you it's not an option simply doesn't have either the knowledge or the power to make this happen. I doubt most of the managers for the technical support/customer service divisions have this power either; it takes an escalations representative to actually be able to do more than the bare minimum to resolve a customer complaint.

It took awhile, but my problem is resolved; big thanks to escalations for taking care of this.

 

is your screen as bad as mine? i have included a pic. i was watching a movie and whenever the screen fades, it leaves a shadow on the screen (you might have to tilt your screen a bit to actually get the view of the shadowness on the pic, its an outline of a mountain and words in the center). i have the 1520 with the sec3350 screen.

 

Well it finally came and I see no graininess, whatsoever. Looks just as good as my HP or my Sony. The only thing I had to adjust was the Clear Type under properties -> appearance -> effects. The viewing angles aren't as good as you all say, but I can live with that.

I believe the big Dell LCD problem tends to be glossy screens with TrueLife added to them.

 

how did you get a non glossy wsxga?? was it a 15" system?? ive never seen this option on a 15

 

From what I've heard there is a bit of a shortage of the LG's at the moment, so when the reps look them up and kind find any they just take the easy way out and say there is no such thing.

I now know 8 people on another forum who have successfully got their screens replaced with LG's after specifically requesting them.

 

I now know 8 people from another forum who have had their screens replaced with LG's after specifically requesting them. Seems like some Dell reps are feeding people BS.

Take this post from yesterday:


"Went into device manager and the hardware ID of the screen is SEC3350.
So I have the Samsung one. (1680x1050 WSXGA+)

Rang up Dell using the Gold Support line, they answered the phone in about 1 and a half minutes.

Spent about a total of 4 minutes on the phone to the tech talking about the issue.

I requested the screen be replaced with the LG screen.
He did not know the LG screen was available at that resolution at first.
But I told him the Dell part number (Thanks to the people that posted it here) he then found the screen straight away.
And he then said he would send a tech out to replace the screen with the LG screen and gave me a job number.

Total time on the phone approx 6 minutes.

Cant complain about that."

 

Do you have poor horizontal angles on LG screens?

 

Easy. Go to the Dell website and when you build your own, pick "15.4 inch Wide Screen XGA LCD Display add $0"

"Wide Screen XGA" and "WSXGA" mean the same thing.

I believe it's the only non-glossy option available for the 1500. Under my device manager, it's an SEC3358.

There's some light bleed at the bottom, but all my laptops have this, and you can only see it when there's a black screen on bootup. So for me, light bleed is irrelevant. For others (who really want to look for something wrong), that may not be the case.

For $750, I'm happy with it.

 

Wrong.
Widescreen XGA is the same as WXGA and is 1280x800.
WSXGA is the same as Widescreen Super XGA and is 1680x1050.

 

Ooops, I stand corrected on that particular point.

15.4” UltraSharpTM Widescreen WSXGA+ Display with TrueLife(TM)
15.4” Widescreen WXGA+ Display with TrueLife
15.4” Widescreen WXGA Display with TrueLife
15.4” Widescreen WXGA Display

 

I have a WXGA+ (1440 x 900) SEC 3157. The graininess isn't terrible, but the color is. Anyone else have this issue? Does LG make a WXGA+ screen?

 

I had bad colors with with the WSXGA+ (1680x1050) SEC3350 on my 1520.
I think there was a problem with the backlight being off-color. Not only were the white's yellowish, but certain other colors (like green) weren't as vibrant as they should have been.
(I returned the notebook, by the way -- decided to try my luck with a 17" model. I only just got my money back, but prices have gone up so I'll probably have to wait until next month to order.)

 

,ok i see peaple are saying that the samsung 15.4 inch monitor on a vostro 1500s are grainy,well i got a referbished vostro 1500 with a WXGA+ screen with a grainy monitor from AU OPTRONICS CORP ,only after 1 day after i recived the laptop, i called tech support 10 times in 7 days to try to get the monitor replaced,but still had no luck,so i told tech support i will give them one more day to resovle the issue or iam sending back the vostro 1500,never got a call back, so i sent it back,and bought another vostro 1500 with the WSXGA+ with the lg screen,much better now,this is my opinion the custumer service from dell sucks , ive got hung up alot when on hold or being transferd to a differnt dept,do not speak good engish,thats because the person is over seas i think,every time i call dell it seems to take 2 to 3 hours to resolve just 1 problem,or when the problem did not get taken care of ,i had to keep calling till the problem gets resolved,dell needs to get better customer sevice,now i orderd a brand new inspiron 1520 for my gf,it had the wxga+ screen,well when i reacived it on oct 30th 2007.it had the grainy screen,i was not very happy,but in my invoice it only said, High Resolution, glossy widescreen 15.4 inch display (1440x900) it did not tell me which manufacture made the screen,only a part number,i did some research found out it was the crappy auo corp screen,,its my opion that dell does not want a customer to know which screen a person gets,or mabe just the luck of the draw,ok i called the dell tech support and told them i wanted a lg/philips screen or would send back the new inspiron 1520,well 3 wasted days of calling dell ,no luck,they asked if i wanted a replacement laptop,I SAID NO WAY.untill dell fixes the problems with grainy sparkly screen, i just orderd a referbished dell vostro 1500 for my gf, at least gave me the manufactor of the screen,so i bought another one with a wsxga+ it was the lg/ philips screen,very happy with the laptop,dell sent it out fast,i would say dell still has the problems with the grainy screens,just hope the problem gets resolved someday,i kind of think dell doesnt care,all they do is want your money,i am picky about the screens like every one else is,iam spending money i want it a little better

 

Just got my SEC3350 replaced...with another Samsung. I noticed he had brought along a Samsung, but thought I'd give it a try, except it's as grainy as my other one.

I'm currently trying to talk them into sending me an LG, let's see how it goes.

Edit: Online chat tech support just told me they are making an exception for my case and will send a screen with "different specifications" (another model, I hope) and that they have no LG screens for this machine, and that if this replacement screen has the same issues they will have to blame it on customer perception of the screen and will require pictures or video. Too bad the grain is practically impossible to capture in photos.

 

rage ... the problem is a lot of people didnt get the in home service. so they will then refuse to send a tech out to replace it and make you send it in.. then the issue is you have no idea what will actually be put in it. im thinking about ordering an a 1720 right now to go alaong with the sager i just bought then the sager will be my play system and the dell can sit in my desk.. im not sure yet though. the price right now on the 1720 is ridiculously low with the coupon..

 

I didn't specifically get the in-home service, I think it comes standard in Latin America because we really can't send the notebook overseas every time it has to be repaired. Sucks for those who do have to send it back every time, though... I filed a report and the dude called me two business days later and showed up at my house half an hour later with the part. He exchanged it in another half hour and was pretty nice about the whole thing I guess, even though it must have sucked for him to hear me complain about the screen he had just put in.

 

Whoever is saying that the problem is imagined by some folks: the Dell technician came to replace the screen on my laptop and he said he wanted to see what the problem was. Once I showed him the vista screen with an explorer running, he immd. said "grainy", whereas I was using the words like "faulty", "sparkly". The replacement he installed was also a Samsung and "grainy". Now, I have seen three screens in total which have this problem. So, if one more person comes here and says that the problem is not there, I am going to be really mad.

Dell has promised me an LG replacement coming in next week. Let's see how that goes. I have my fingers crossed. I don't really want to return this laptop because its an excellent machine but if I have to, I will because there is no way I can work on this grainy screen for next 3 years.

 

I just talked to technical support about my grainy screen with the SEC3350 and they told me that they would replace it with the LG model ! I have to send it in to the depot for them to replace the screen though. Probably since I don't have the on site service. Hope I really get an LG screen when the notebook has the lcd replaced! When I bought it my invoice had the part number XK309 but when it arrived, the hardware ID it was SEC3350 . Oh and thanks OP for posting about this fix! I'll post back with the results of my screen replacement when it's done, will probably take at least a week.

 

that's not right. Their own technician was convinced that the screen is grainy.

I think Dell needs to fire some people, particularly those who cut the deal with Samsung for the usage of these specific screens in new Inspirons. Samsung needs to fire few of their own for creating this messy screen and claiming "wow glossy!". I mean what were they thinking!! Look at the screens from HP/Sony next time you go to Circuit City. Those are what you can call modern LCD screens.

 

dude. i hate to burst your bubble, but a dell tech support guy made the same promise to me. i sent it to the depot and i was so excited to maybe have a decent screen!!!

did it happen? no. he said they would replace with the LPLF300 screen. LG brand, dell part number XK309. he knew all of the info, promised it would happen. it did not. i hope this works out for you, but don't get your hopes up.


they sent me another grainy, crappy, SEC3350. why they put this hunk of **** screen in their computers at all is beyond me.

dell reps have lied to me about multiple things, this being one of them. they will tell you anything to placate you, even if they can't accomplish it.

after wasting a huge amount of time and effort, all to get an acceptable screen- i am now free and clear of dell.

i didn't even complain to dell about the wobbly battery, earphone noise, core2duo beeping, or the loose infrared port. i was willing to accept all of these problems, i'm not picky. but a lousy screen is unacceptable. shame, dell.

 

Having spent weeks waiting for an update to the LG screen 'shortage' to replace my grainy SEC WSXGA+ I am now being sent a complete replacement system.

I quoted part numbers to Tech for the LG but he simply stated that part number had zero stock levels.

The tech guy admitted to me that they have had problems with certain batches of LCD screens and that this issue is now resolved with regard to the new builds coming off the assembly line.

I asked if the screens were now of a better quality why did he not simply send a guy to replace my screen in house rather than offer to replace the whole thing??

He said that the Spare/Replacement parts dept is totally separate from the assembly line for new notebooks and that as such a replacement system will come with a screen of good quality.

I suppose I am willing to give this a go. I get to keep my current laptop until my new one arrives which is good for comparison and I have stressed numerous times that if it is no better I WILL be back in touch with Dell.

The tech guy assured me that I will be totally satisfied with the new build.

Question I have to test his statement is: Has anyone within the UK only received a brand new dell in the last week or so that has a grainy screen????

 

I've spent about 3 weeks to this date to get my WXGA+ Vostro 1500 screen replaced with an LG screen. I've had to pay 85 dollars to upgrade my "return to depot" warranty to an "on-site" one.

Recently had them switch out screens, they told me they were giving me a free upgrade to WSXGA+, last I talked to them they promised an LG Phillips. When the technician arrived it was a Samsung SEC3350 (DELL part #WK088). The technician was really nice and called in to get the specific XK309 (that i quoted for the LG) in for Monday of next week.

I believe there is a really low chance of getting an LG screen when getting a new system or returning the laptop for a screen replacement. There is a greater chance with an on-site warranty.

By the way, the technician that came out to my house didn't work directly for DELL but for a company that was authorized by DELL to service my laptop.

 

Really sorry to hear that exchanging the screen at the depot didn't do anything for you . I guess if they send me another Samsung screen or an AUO, I'll quote the case number of my call and their promise and demand to get a technician to come to my house with the LG screen so I can see in person that they are replacing it with the right one. Sorry again to hear about the problems you had with your 1520. Did you get another laptop from another company? If you did, hope it's problem free and that you're enjoying it more than your 1520!

 

nope they are not. I have seen two bad Samsung screens in last 2-3 weeks, one of them yesterday. So, I don't think new builds (if they are usign Samsung) are any better.

That's what they tell everyone and send in the same thing. I have no idea what the motivation is, because it wastes everybody's time and money.

The replacement I got on 09-20-2007 was grainy.

 

Dell are going to replace my grainy AUO2077 WXGA+ screen.
If replacement is grainy too, do I have the right to return the whole thing and get my money back? Recieved it 08/22

 

that is what my tech guy told me. i was going to just return the dell and go for the 30% HP coupon, but the tech convinced me that my new screen would be a perfect LG. guess what? grainy SEC3350.

the delay from replacing the screen also made me miss the HP deal. so dell totally ****ed me. now i returned the dell, and my fiance, myself, and anyone i can convince will never buy one again. they lied to me at every turn.

 

No I think it's too late for that. But you can ask them to replace the replacement. Some people do get good replacements though. Cross your fingers.

 

its late for return. But if you bought it using credit card, you can dispute the charge and let your credit card company fight it out with Dell.

 

It's a little dissapointing to come back to this thread to read that Dell still are giving people the run around in terms of replacing the screens with non-grainy LG ones. You'd think that they would have learnt by now and would actually follow through in their promises.

My only recommendation to people is to be persistent, and make Dell pay by inconveniencing them until they get it right and fix your screen.

 

Hope this hasn't been asked but is this grainy problem only specific to the WXGA screens? It would be comforting to know my WUXGA won't have this problem when I get it.

My only guess to why they are still putting the poor quality screens in current systems is they have a contract to fulfil. But if that is the case they should be able to put pressure on Samsung to rectify and credit Dell for the costs for the replacement screen.

 

As you say, I do not understand the point of sending replacement machines without ensuring the issue has been resolved. Massive waste of time all round and further cost for Dell.

So far I have had 1 replacement machine due to grainy screen. Then the replacement had a grainy AUO which was swapped with a grainy SEC WSXGA+. Now a brand new machine is on its way.

None of this has cost me anything other than the original purchase price yet it must be costing Dell big time. Replacements, Tech engineer call outs, new screens, another new machine.......!!!!

Dell - Sort your screen quality out and save all involved the hassle and cost of rectifying things!!!!!

PS - devsk, you in the UK?

 

How could i miss this thread I ordered my Vostro 1500 with 1680x1050 a while ago and its already shipping.

I thought the 1680x1050 was the only screen with no problems and while i wanted a 1440x900, i bought the 1680x1050, cause I thought these wouldn't have the problems the 1440x900 had.

Maybe i have been misled by this german poll:

http://www.forumdeluxx.de/forum/showthread.php?t=389580

Well, it seems im wrong

I really wished i never went for Dell, when i see the pictures posted. I will be using my laptop a lot, so i cant live with such a major flaw in the screen.

Plus im in europe and not like of the folks here in US. In US, its relatively simple to get a refund or replace a screen.

Here the shipment costs are ~€100 (if u want to return) and Dell has a nasty tech support.

If i got a (grainy) SEC, im doomed

 

It is a shambles really. The only reason I have not returned and got a refund is that you cannot get anywhere near as good a spec with another brand for the same money.

I will stick this out until I get a good screen. If Dell think I am going to give up due to the hassle of it all they are VERY much mistaken!

 

ur right about the money: currently, no other brand can compete with Dell in the pricerange of ~1000 eur

And then its build rocksolid. It does weight more than other laptops though.


But someone tell me plz: what's the use of the price (and other reasons why someone would by a Dell), if the screen (the part where ull look ALL THE TIME at) is crap

 

I am in the US.

 

When investing anywhere near a grand with Dell, the best is to get complete care. It will cost you a little bit more (and still the overall price will be lower than with other vendors for same specs) but it will save you so many hassles. That's why I went with CC. I will not give up until I get a good monitor to look at, because for me this is a 3 year commitment at least. My Dimension 8250 has been with me for 5 years and still going strong.

If it means that they have to keep sending the tech to try different screens, so be it. I hope someone higher up at Dell will wake up and say "wait a minute...wtf are we doing?"

 

For me, its about investment, and I talk of time and not just money. I have invested so much of my time (ordered 07-27, got 09-04, two replacements) into this laptop that I now have to get it to work. Moreover, other aspects of this machine are awesome. If I had known about screen issues before 07-27, I would not have bought it.

 

yeah. there's a point where you get 'pot committed' with a laptop. we shouldn't have to work at getting a halfway decent screen from dell. the fact that they send out grainy screens on their replacements just blows me away. ???

i sure wasted a lot of time and effort on dell, and have nothing to show for it. i do have a couple of expensive cell phone bills, though. man, i must have been on hold forever.

 

VOIP is the answer. As long as it is supported by a cell phone!

Combine it with a speaker phone and it can be a lot of fun! You can give your music system some rest for sure.

 

I'd be very interested to know how your replacement works out ukclaret as I'm in a similar position to you. I've spent the last 3 weeks for an LG screen to come into stock and got an email today telling me that there still aren't any available and they are unable to tell me when they will be.

 

I just checked my "Service Call Status" online, shows:

XK309 LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY, 15.4WSXGA+, VIDEO ELEC. STDS. ASSOC., TLF, LGP 1

Hope this means this 100% means this next replacement will be the LG Phillips display. Previous Service Calls showed:

WK088 SERVICE KIT, LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY, 15.4WSXGA+, VIDEO ELEC. STDS. ASSOC., TLF 1
- this was the Samsung, Model #: SEC3350

MP729 SERVICE KIT, LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY, 15.4WXGA+, VIDEO ELEC. STDS. ASSOC., TLF, VOS 1
- this was the AUO, Model #: AUO2077

When I get the screen replaced, I will post again if I feel it was worth the wait and trouble of getting it. Today is day 20th of my ownership of this laptop.

 

I will update as soon as I have the replacement in my possession. They replaced my grainy WXGA+ screen with a free upgrade to a WSXGA+ so as I had a WXGA+ on my original order I will be getting that screen in the new machine.

Actually prefer the res on the WXGA+ as I found the top res too small on the WSXGA+. Hopefully, I will hope my luck holds out and I get the LG screen. Either way I have been assured by about 3 people at Dell that I will be totally satisfied with the new screen. If not I will be having serious words with Dell like you would not believe!!!

 

Success! Technician just left, I got an LG Phillips Hardware ID: LPLF300. I gotta say this screen really is worth it compared to the other ones. No grain, seems kinda yellow compared to the bluish tint the others had. The large backlight at the bottom of the Samsung is no where to be found on the LG. LG really knows how to make LCD displays! Totally happy and satisfied with this new screen.

 

hey congratulations!!! welcome aboard those who successfully managed to exchange their WSXGA+ screens! finally a success story. it's been a while since we last had one.

 

nice, rampage. wish dell could have worked that out for me. i just shipped the thing back to dell! waiting for my return money now.

 

How does one check the service call status? There is no option in Dell Latin America, and it just returns an error when I use the Dell US page.

I just got off the phone with tech support escalations; they called me after I sent them an email asking whether they would be able to send me the LG I requested (even included the XK309 part number). He told me what they always say, that they can't send out a specific part number since all the screens with the same specs are grouped together regardless of the manufacturer and that it's against policy to open the screen boxes beforehand to find out who made the screen. Well, he said something along the lines of that, anyway.

They're sending out another one (hopefully not AUO/Samsung) so I guess I'll just have to wait until it gets here.

I suggested changing my screen for a non TrueLife and he said it was possible, but I should wait until my replacement gets here and see how it goes from there.

What do you guys think? I've heard the non-glossy screens are much nicer in terms of quality. The grain on my screens hasn't been unbearable, but it's very annoying... if I get another bad screen, should I attempt to change it for a non-glossy?

 

SCORE! Tech just left after installing LG. The screen has no noticeable grain! The screen is brighter. It has slight bleeding in the right lower corner, which I can live with.

Tech had seen the previous screen and he saw this screen and exclaimed: night and day! I asked him to leave notes to this effect. Hopefully he will and hopefully someone at Dell will read them.

Now it looks like a laptop bought in 2007 for a grand! I am very happy with this machine now!!

Dell needs to recall Samsung screens and give users the LG.

 

OK - New replacement Vostro 1500 arrived this morning. I had tracked it online and noticed they had upgraded my processor from a 1.8 to a 2.0 T7300. Result!! (Must have been low in stocks of the 7100, or they are trying to keep me sweet )

I knew I would be getting the WXGA+ after my tech upgrade to a WSXGA+ had made no difference with grain. Switched it on and noticed the difference straight away.

So much better. The Hardware id is LPLDF00 which I presume is an LG. Ran the 2 machines side by side and the difference is massive. The colours are brighter and sharper and the grain has gone.

My advice to anyone with an unsatisfactory screen is to get on to Dell Tech. In the most part they are very helpful, respectful and courteous. It may be my third machine but the problems are now sorted.

Also, it looks like Dell are using new Batteries as my new one looks different. Has ridges on it and fits snugly with no loose wobble. 6 cell by the way.

Episode closed for me. Good luck to all those with screen issues. Stick with it, it is worth it in the end.

I am now totally satisfied

 

great news ukclaret. I hope everyone here with the same issue will be patient enough to have their system fixed!