Solve Grainy Issue by BIOS Update?

Hey folks,

I just want to know, if there is a hypothetical chance, that the grainy display issue caused by AUO displays could be solved by an BIOS update in the future, like it can be done with many laptops manufactured by ASUS?

Or is this effect caused by faulty hardware, that can't be eliminated by a simple software update?

Thanks for your answers.

 

I doubt it. Its most likely the cheap displays they are using from AUO. Even the Samsung SEC ones are pretty crappy too with the wxga +. People think these new dells are such a bargain/value. I don't think so.
Dell has a poor record of going back and supporting issues. Most likely fixes come from a newer model. I have a friend that could not get his USB to work with USB 2 devices on his inspiron. He found a hacked driver that did the job. To this day, Dell never addressed the issue and never provided a updated driver for his laptop. Dell just makes so many systems and they never really stop, and fix things for people like they should.

Dell just dropped a huge, 5 percent in the new customer satisfaction index for computers. Even gateway has a higher rating then Dell right now. Dell is at the bottom of the list. So do you think they will fix things like the display? The AUO I had was horrible. I can't imagine how any bios update or anything else could have fixed that mess.

 

The dell is still built more solid than the HP, really though I think your making it sound bad when it isn't. The only complaints i've heard about the 1520 are the screen and the static through the headphones. It is more powerful, gives you a better performance/cost ratio, has a more efficient cooling system, has less flex (especially keyboard/screen), and actually has pretty good build quality for a Dell. At the end of the day though the 6500t and 1520 are mass produced consumer lineup laptops and truly aren't built to last [two+ years].

 

I have a 1400 that has an A01 BIOS (which I think must be the newest as the laptop I doubt they have 2 BIOS revisions within a month of release) and the AUO screen has notable grain...

 

Well having briefly owning a 1420 and now a dv6500t, I disagree. I don't feel the HP having flex or being flimsy. If it is, its not noticeable to me and the lighter/less bulky design I will take over the heavier boxy dell any day. As far as the dell build quality, My first 1420 had a cracked lid in the back.. between the two hinges. The crack had actually spread in the week I waited for the replacement. The replacement AUO screen was simply the worst I have ever seen. Static through headphones, and bad displays are both deal killers in my book.

All I can say, is that the dv6500t is better looking, and more thought out design. I am liking this machine much more then the dell out of the box. The sound is much better with the altec lansing speakers... its something I can actually use. The Dells speakers were ok, but not quite there for me. For me, the HP has a better feel on the keyboard, the Dell was a little too firm for my likes. The touch pad is considerably nicer on the HP to me. Maybe I just got a good one.. I don't know but I really like the HP over the dell. I too was concerned about the heat and its really not that bad on the HP. Yes I agree the Dell was a bit cooler, but its not enough to bother me.

I am glad I went with a 15" screen now. I think I would have liked the 1520 with a regular wxga screen... but that machine is just too heavy and bulky.. Thats probably why I went with the 1420 originally. The HP dv6500t is nice since I now have the nicer screen and it does not feel or seem any bulkier then the 1420 I had. The 1420 was a pretty hefty machine for a 14".

The only Pro I see getting the larger Dell is for the 86xx GPU. This is a big deal for many and probably why its so popular. If the faster GPU is not that big a deal, I still suggest looking into the new HP line.. DV2500 or DV6500. The faster GPU is the only thing I see the dell offers over the HP. The higher RES screens do not offer more in my view. That only offers you frustration.

I think the biggest issue for Dell is the Hi res screens. Last night on QVC channel I saw Dell selling some 17" amd turion 64 notebooks with the regular wxga screens. The camera was panning up and down and side to side on this notebook and the viewing angles were superb that I could see. If I had originally ordered the 1420 with wxga screen, I would probably be a happy dell owner. I am not sure why, but the quality on HI res notebook LCD's is just not as good as desktop LCD's.. especially viewing angles. The only advice I have is stay clear of the hi res dell LCD's.

 

As others have said, there's not much you can do about a grainy screen except to complain and have it replaced. Dell has been very sketchy lately with their new Inspiron line, but they are slowly getting better. I got the CPT screen on my 1520 which I ordered late August, and it's a very good quality screen. If you send it in for a replacement, I'm sure you'll get a better screen.

 

Dell actually promised me a non grainy SEC panel.. but I still got a AUO. I hope you are right that Dell can actually specify by manufacturer which panels are used for replacements. I have not seen any evidence that is happening. From these boards it still appears to be luck of the draw. And if Dell actually did this, it would be a partial admission that certain manufacturers have issues with grainy screens. If this is so, they should take it a step further and not even use these vendors.

 

YOU CAN NOT SPECIFY MANUFACTURE OF SCREENS... this is directly from dell executive offices with whom i spoke with over my issues as well as escalations.. it cant be done period....

 

I think that's going to be it pretty much too... some reps may TELL you they are getting you a certain type of LCD panel, but they can't really do anything about it. There is no selection for it in their order processing and they can't tell the guys in the build station to pick it for you.

 

I expected that was the case. I have read that even some of the regular wxga AUO screens are crap too. This crap shoot for screens with dell is probably what drove me away. Dell is going with the numbers folks. They know that a certain percentage of customers will just deal with whatever is presented to them.. They also have glass shortages and high demands so they do not want to lose sales by dropping vendors. They realize they are going to take a hit in quality and customer satisfaction etc.. This is already realized in the latest customer satisfaction index.. Dell dropped 5 percent.. this is huge in this business. Its all about market share and the bottom line. Dell understands they will still make more $$ with the hit to returns/quality control to keep all their sources for glass. The reason I still feel that HP quality is a step up from dell is they refuse to use crappy sources for their glass. Complaints on the HP forum for grainy screens is practically non existent. At least I have yet to read any threads on the topic. This is not an accident. Everyone keeps saying how great HP displays look.. this is consistent consensus. HP obviously has taken some action to make sure this is the case.

 

as already discussed, you cannot fix a hardware issue with bios.

That's like expecting a bios to fix missing keys on your keyboard.

I have been saying over and over that it's the coating they used for True-Life that is causeing this.
You can clearly see that the grain is in the coating. If this was a Matte screen without the coating, this would have been one heluva screen.

 

This may be true.. but the grainy screen varies greatly between the SEC and AUO. The SEC did not show any graininess on my first 1420 but had crap viewing angles. The AUO had tons of graininess. I expect you might be right. If the AUO did not have the TL coating it probably would be a much nicer screen then the SEC.

 

I've removed coatings before from CRT monitors, maybe some daring soul could try this? I used "Easy Off" and rubbed off an anti glare coating which was coming off anyways. The monitor was much brighter afterwards. I am betting if that true life coating was gone the screens would be beautiful.