How to tell if you have an AUO LCD (== grainy) on Inspiron/Vostro?

I am contemplating purchasing either a Dell Vostro 1500 or an Inspiron 1520 and after having read about the issues with the grainy LCDs on these 2 models, I'd like to know how to find out if Dell Canada is still shipping these models with the defect-prone AUO LCDs.

Where on the laptop can you look up the LCD make/model/manufacturer info? I was thinking of checking out both of these models at the Dell kiosks that are starting to pop up at malls in Toronto.

Thanks.

 

if you go to the kiosk- i guarantee the displays will look great. that is what i did. i was all paranoid about the display on the 1520, so i checked them out at a dell kiosk. they looked fantastic. then i got my 1520 and the screen is nothing like the one at the kiosk. grainy. it is the high-res SEC3350. if you buy a dell, you are rolling the dice on the display. you might get grainy, you might not.

to check the display-
go to run
type devmgmt.msc
double click on monitors in the device manager
double click on Generic PnP monitor
go to details
on the details screen click the property tab and select hardware ids

mine says
monitor\SEC3350

the general consensus seems to be that AUO is crap, SEC3350 (seiko or samsung depending on who you ask) is not much better, and LPL (lg/phillips) is best.

all i know is my SEC3350 sucks. i am getting a replacement. they assured me it would not be grainy, but i will believe it when i see it. i told them to make sure the replacement has the lg screen, but who knows if that will work.

 

there is no way possible to be 100% sure you will get a good screen.. absolutly impossible... a chance you take.. dell has stated they are aware of the screen issues and i hope they are doing something about it...

 

Hmm I have a SEC3157. WXGA matte screen. I don't see any grain

 

from what i have seen on these forums, the high res screen has the most problems. sigh. i really like my dell, but the screen blows. damn you dell! heheh. what really irks me is that the screen at the kiosk was so nice and mine is so ****ty. it's kind of like false advertising.

 

WOOHOO!!

i have LPLE400 on my vostro 1700 (uk)

 

Hey great1,

I concur with you, I got my Vostro 1700 with LPLE400 yesterday, and it is lovely. What a difference from my grainy Vostro that I returned.

simonz

 

So the low resolution (1280x800/WXGA) screens are pretty safe to buy?

Also, is this problem more prone to the 15.4" or 17" larger screens or are the 14" screens susceptible to this problem? Does AUO make the 14" screens as well?

I am just thinking of possible configuration changes to minimize the chances of getting a grainy LCD screen.

Thanks!

 

Eh might be a stupid question but when i double click on monitors i get 3 options. Two default options and plug and play monitor. Is there a way from there?

 

yes. just follow the instructions from this point when you get to the plug and play monitor-

double click the plug and play monitor
go to details
on the details screen click the property tab and select hardware ids

this should work!

it seems a bit weird you are getting 3 monitor options... do you have an external? it might also have to do with your settings. is your system set up for multiple displays?

 

I seems like people are only having issues with glossy/truelife screens, so keep that in mind.

 

I was in the same boat as you were lol when I was picking out my Inspiron. I chose the WXGA (1280x800) screen to hopefully steer clear of the grainy screens and supposedly get better game performance. I received my laptop about a week and a half ago, and I can't see any grain whatsoever on it, its really nice and really clear.

I think most of the WXGA screens are safe from grain, but I mean I don't know for sure unless other people with the screen say anything haha.

Good luck!

 

Man I know it sux if it's grainy but if that does actually occur, allthough very unlikely, they will replace it free of charge.

 

Very unlikely? Did you know that display builders have had issues making wxga + LCD's for quite a bit. Its not just with Dell. IC you have ordered a wxga + . Having picked that choice, you are more likely getting a grainy screen then anything else you may have chosen, being wxga TL or maybe matte, even wuxga would most probably be less likely having a grainy screen. You have rolled the dice and I hope you get a LG. Because I personally don't think, after seeing a SEC and AUO that these manufacturers can build a decent wxga + LCD. Now that I have a HP with a LG screen, I am happy I did not get another SEC with my 1420 replacement. I saved myself the grief of horrible viewing angles and the constant adjustments of the panel.. trying ever so much to find that sweet spot that you never quite get.

I never saw a wxga + LG screen, so its possible that might be good. I have my doubts as to getting anything decent with SEC or AUO with wxga +. I would rather have a brilliant picture with lower res like I do now with my HP dv6500t with a wxga LG LCD.

 

Hi DesertNM, I definatley understand the odds are higher in this case, but with lots of items we purchase(especially so with technology goodies) there is a chance of it being defective or flawed in some way. Especially in cases where they are making so many of any said item. I respect and understand your point of view, I just feel that things like this are always a possibilty nowadays. Now I'm not saying that this is okay, I wish that we all could get quality products for our hard earned money but this just isnt the case. I just happen to beleive it's how the occurence is treated "if" and more likely (in this instance) "when" something like this occurs. Just my 2 cents. By the way thank you because after saying all that I must admit I'm "hoping" for a quality screen as well.

 

I have a SEC3350 here, it was my 1st replacement, its still grainy. I figure that it is the luck of the draw but if the screens get better over time, that's when I'll get another replacement. For now, this will do.

 

I have an AUO WUXGA and it is actually not bad at all. No grainyness. Looks goooood to me

 

OK, stupid question but where the hell is Run on Vista!!??

 

Its just the start/search box when you hit start.. For example, if you just type services.msc you would open up services. You can also search for items. It more intelligent then XP's search and run.

 

Windows Key + R