XPS M1330 - LCD screen keeps breaking...

**edit** I should point out I have the more expensive screen (which is newer and probably less reliable technology).

I'm now awaiting the second replacement of my LED screen.

First time round the screen lasted about one month and then one day I booted up the laptop and the screen just displayed a sea of brilliant white - not even plugging in an external monitor helped. So Dell replaced the motherboard and screen.

One week later and I boot the laptop up and the screen is near darkness although you can just about make out the very light parts of the screen (eg the BIOS loading bar). Dell now say they'll replace the screen again.

But I have to ask what the point of replacing the screen is? Clearly something is causing this problem and I'm getting tired of having to wait for parts to be replaced...

I am wondering if it is something to do with the magnet in the carry case provided by Dell, or a faulty battery?

Anyone else had this problem? If it goes again I want a full refund - but I'm guessing Dell won't be rushing to give me one...

 

If this keeps up it just may be your settings at home, like problem w/ your home's wall jack etc.

May want to look into it.

 

What tests would you suggest?

I also use the laptop at university - I doubt that it is a fault at their end. But the house I rent in is pretty poorly built so agree it could be a fault there. I could try replacing my extension cable with a decent surge protector? Although would have thought it would blow the whole laptop not just the screen?

 

Definitely get a (real, not $1.99 junk) surge protector for any valuable equipment.

 

It sounds like something on your end, maybe with the laptop itself or power problem as someone mentioned. You're the only one I've ever heard of with this problem. Dell will eventually just replace the whole laptop rather than replace parts over and over.

 

Victor, From your description it sounds like two different problems happened. The first, when the screen went completely white was most likely the inverter cable/board on the LCD panel failing for some reason (the LCD panel kit includes the cable). The second failure, when everything was dark, but you could still (barely) make out what was on the display, sounds like the backlight failed. The two are separate parts even though replacing the LCD kit is the fix for both.

While it is unusual to have two failures so close together I don't think there is anything other than plain old bad luck involved. If you have the misfortune of having the third panel fail then I would start checking for other causes, but I would honestly be surprised if that is needed.

If you have any questions on this I will be more than happy to answer them.

Larry
Dell Customer Advocate

 

I have the same problem. My DELL XPS M1330 is about two months old. I had to reinstall vista 3 times after SP-1 upgrade. Two days ago I tried to turn my laptop on and all I could see was a black screen. The laptop connected to the internet but I couldn't see anything on the screen. Dell support made me do some test, taking out the RAM and WLAN card etc. but nothing helped. I have to send it in. I then tried to hook it up with an external monitor and it worked. Must be some hardware failure. But I wonder how this could be?

 

this has to be the power from the wall that is frying your mother board.

 

Sounds like your backlight died.