7811 refurb display problems (see pics)

I received my 7811 today and got it all set up. I didn't see any bad pixels or blue screens and things were looking good. That is until I got it running and set a background other than plain white. I'm getting a ghost like image on the entire left half of the screen. To me, it looks like a ghosting or bleed through of light from somewhere. If you look at the display straight on, it's a faint ghost. If you move a little to the left it's insane and if you move a little to the right of the screen you can't see anything.

What do you think I should do? Is it a hardware problem? If so, would you send it back to Tiger or try to get Gateway warranty to replace the display? Tiger is sold out. They told me out of the 800 units they shipped 52 have come back so far with problems. Maybe I'm just unlucky. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

View from where I sit...



Ghosting - as seen from anywhere to the left of the screen.



View from center - minor ghosting



View from right side - no ghosting visible

 

it's the display (not any of the other hardware) and most of these models and similar models have a mild case of it. by mild I mean can't see it at all straight on, and can really only see it from the direct left or right. sometimes it can be wiped away using a clean, dry, 100% cotton shirt or rag. when you "wipe it away" you're basically just pressing out the air bubble that might be causing it. if your case is really that bad, return or exchange, nothing really much else you can do

 

You have a 30 day money back guaranty and a 90 day "warranty'. Call the toll free number, leave your name, phone number and serial number of your 7811 along with a brief description of the problem and someone will get back to you.

Limited warranty 3 months for parts and 3 months for labor.
Support Phone Number: 1 (866) 243-1450

Dooode....... Just get a new screen put in.
-Goodspeed

 

I have same thing, but i can't see anything from straight on. And you really can't see it on clored background or moving picture (movies, games). Only when screen is totally black and static. I decided to keep it. Altough i would have probably returned it, if I were in the US. But laptop was shipped to me at Eastern Europe - so fudge it It doesn't bother me in gaming and movie watching.

 

i had that problem on one of the 7811s i had. what i did was took a soft cloth like an old t-shirt, white cotton undershirt to be exact and rubbed it up and down on the screen while the machine was off and it got rid of all the white ghosting effect. this happens i believe from the machine sitting flat and pressed down by other boxes etc for extended periods of time, so if you leave your machine closed for a good amount of time it may come back but again just rub it lightly(some pressure is needed) and it should disappear .

 

Is that a stuck pixel? Top right corner, visible in all the pictures.

Doesn't look that bad, had a couple of Toshiba's that had it a bit worst.

 

I believe that is the cursor, just blurred by the photo. It is much larger than a single pixel.

 

That was the cursor in the upper right hand corner. So, I turned off the computer and tried to use a special cloth that I bought to clean my Plasma TV to push out the air that we suspected was causing the ghosting. After rebooting, I had the same problem. But...

Then I started to work it out with the display on and I could see the ghost moving across the screen with each swipe. I worked it to the edges just like you would do putting on a decal and have an air bubble underneath.

The display looks perfect now. Amazing. Thanks for the tip!

 

That's good to hear and a really great tip, I wasn't aware of NBR back with my Toshiba notebooks.

 

Glad it worked out for you hope you enjoy the new machine .

 

FYI I called the "warranty" hotline and they are NOT replacing parts at this time. They did however give me an RMA# and said that they would be glad to exchange it for me no problem. I wonder if I would get one that's worse. So what do you guys think? Should I even bother sending in the one I have with the "ghosting" issue? Inquiring minds.

P.S. I was told that they have "hundreds and hundreds" at the main warehouse. Keep your eyes peeled bros.

 

I have the same ghosting problem it seems. I just got my P-7811FX today (2887 model ) and it seems I also have a dead/stuck pixel. The pixel shows up red on black screens. My ghosting appears when I look at the display from the right side though. I tried using a cloth and wiping the screen but it didn't help, I couldn't get the air bubble to move at all. It seems like I'm forced to send it in for repairs also to get rid of the pixel problem too, at least it's under warranty, both Gateway and extended. I'm just testing it now with burn-in test to see if any other part of the laptop is problematic. Hopefully it's all clear except for the LCD.

 

I was told that they are not "as of now" repairing these. Only exchange at the moment. I am leary as to exchanging mine as it works so well. I can always get a new or replacement screen tho. Tuff decision for me. I have 2 2887s and one 2888. The 2888 has the bad screen.

 

I don't mind an exchange, it's just that I'm in Canada, so I wonder if there are any different steps for me. I tried calling their support line but could only leave a message and hope they call tomorrow. I wonder what the turnaround time would be too as well. It would really suck to take a month for the turnaround because I already in fact exchanged my P-6860FX for this P-7811FX. Just bad luck with the LCD.

 

I was given an RMA # on the phone right away. Then you call the TD hotline (you will be given the number) and give them your RMA# and if you like they can even put a hold on your CC and ship it out right away while you still keep yours at home. THen when you get the "new" one you can, if you so desire, swap out the HDDs (if you have lots of software on yours already and DREAD reloading it all and ship the old one back at your leisure. How's that for service?

P.S. They will get back to you in no more than a day or two at the most. If you get IAN (E-an, not I-an)tell him Goodspeed says hi.

The only thing I am having a problem with is that I don't want to get one that is in worse shape, or that has OTHER problems. The ones I have now are in really nice shape. Decisions, decisions.

 

Well it's pretty bad on my screen so I do have to send it back. But if I can use it for now while they ship another one to me, that'd be great. I hope though they actually check if the new one will be fine, rather than getting another lemon, heh. What did you mean by put a hold on CC while shipping it right away? Charge me for a second one so they can ship it right away but then I can always just return the defective LCD one when I get the new one? Sorry, just a little confused, heh.

 

Yes, they will put a "hold" on your credit card for the $750.00 until you send back the old one. Then they release it. And NO, they don't check to see if the newer one will be OK. they just ship them.