Question about LG LCD screen replacement

My Gateway P7805-U laptop, 2 weeks in from purchase, got damaged on the LCD enough to drive me nuts. The Polarizer film is damaged, and despite the fact that its driving me nuts, and I paid 350 bucks for "Accidental Damage" warranty with Best buy....Best Buy refuses to cover the warranty as it "Does not Impede user experience"

-_-

To say I am upset at them does not even begin to cover it. Regardless, Gateway referred me to Mundo and Skyline Engineering for a replacement lcd screen for out of warranty repair as it is cheaper to replace the LCD screen myself instead of sending it in for repair (450 Bucks) and they themselves refuse to cooperate with me. Apparently, they also do not have an accidental warranty for additional coverage.

So, after taking about 15 minutes to carefully pry apart my screen and managing to do so, I found out the LCD model number is an LG LP171WU3 (TL) (B3)

Now, there are probably users here on this forum that are far more prevalent in the knowledge of this matter than I. So to the point, do I need the exact LG 171WU3 TL B3 LCD screen model? Or can I attempt to order another one perhaps?

Any and all help would be greatly appreciated. I assume so long as it is a LP171WU3 or a 1920 x 1200 res screen I should be ok? If folks can, please let me know and be as detailed as possible as I want my poor laptop repaired asap.

Thanks much.

 

LG = make
171 = 17"
WU = WUXGA (1920x1200)

not sure on the rest yet but ........

(guesses) looking on Ebay it looks like the
TL = 16x10 (ones without this seem to be 4x3's)
Bx = seems to be interface type. The B2 is from an HP DV9000 according to one listing (this could be type too, ie diamond bright etc.)

 

if you have ADH
1. turn it on
2. drink something and place it next to you
3. have your cat run into the cup
4. whoops!

 

or just accidentally use it as a step to reach something on a top shelf somewhere. oops

 

don't do it. they might say that you used EXCESSIVE FORCE/INTENTIONAL

 

The problem with those theories is that the LCD screen still will not be repaired whatsoever, as the impact to the polarizer film is only "Moderate" according to them.

I am not going to damage my laptop.

To make things even worse, Gateway refuses to sell me the part and wants nearly 500 dollars for me to send it in and get it repaired. Something I can do myself in roughly 10 minutes and for much less.

Skyline and Mundo also do not have the parts available to them, as gateway has not "Released" The parts to them yet for those particular model laptops.

So, just a little bit more then aggravated at this point. If I get say, an LP171WU3 lcd screen....say...TL A3 or some such. Will that be compatible with my laptop and will it function properly?

Any help is appreciated as I am so furious at both Best Buy and Gateway right now it isn't even a joke.

 

Potential replacement... http://cgi.ebay.com/LG-PHILIPS-LP171WU3-TL-A3-LAPTOP-LCD-SCREEN-17_W0QQitemZ260352210996QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item260352210996&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50

 

That LCD screen is 100% compatible? Even with the built in web cam I assume? If so, awesome. Saves me a ton of trouble.

So essentially the only thing I should worry about is the LP171WU3?? What does the A3 and B3 etc mean?

 

Anyone know? I found a place that I can order the screen through overnight, but I need to if I purchase an LP171WU3 TL A3 if it will work my gateway P7805U.

Any and all help is appreciated.

 

There are threads about replacing LCD screens here, and they have links to sites which sell all kinds of screens for laptops, and identify the compatible ones for yours. I went to one of those sites when reading the thread and was easily able to identify the screens that worked for my (then) 6860. They had everything from default 1440x900 replacement to top quality 1680x1050 and 1900x1200 upgrades.

Sorry I don't have the link to the thread, but if you search, you will find it here in the Gateway forum. Best of luck, and sorry to hear that you got ripped off on the warranty.

 

problem is I have already looked. Could not find much of any use for a P7805 U FX laptop.

Basically all I need to know is if I order a TL A3, will it work on my Gateway FX like my TL B3 does? I assume there is little difference between the two since its the same model number essentially?

 

If anyone can please tell me a compatible LCD screen model # with this laptop I would be extremely grateful. I went through several replacement screen companies and no one has a clue. I did manage to contact one and they said that they had a compatible screen, however they REFUSED to tell me the part # or any information regarding said compatible screen.

I contacted Gateway AGAIN and AGAIN I got the runaround and even after talking to Manager they basically told me F U.

So if ANYONE can help me, Please, it would be greatly appreciated. I am at my freaking wits end here.

 

Dude whenever your talking to Gateway You have to tell them your recording the conversation for records.

also contact corporate for the best buy plan, they don't want to help but when their hands are tied by the higher ups they can't say no.

Just don't blow up on them...

Also You may contact these replacement LCD website, http://www.screentekinc.com/Gateway__P-family-notebooks-lcd-screens.shtml

Don't know how credible they are...

 

Just got off the phone with Telios Tech and one of their people, they told me that I can basically replace any LP171WU3 LCD screen with another LP171WU3 LCD screen.

The difference is that the TL and B3 refers to width and Brightness. So a B3 is a pretty bright screen. He also gave me a link to contact someone at another place, but they are closed right now.

So there you go guys for future reference. B3 or A3 etc refers to brightness.

I'll look into ordering a suitable screen tommorrow and overnight it and report back how well it works.

 

so my guesses were about right, TL = width (aspect ratio) and B3 is like the diamond bright or whatever they want to call it.............

 

Yeah it definitely seems that way TANWare, so at least we have that confirmed for future knowledge.

Right now I am probably looking at purchasing a LP171WU3 TL A3, but I don't know what the stats are on this LCD screen and I cannot seem to find any details.

If anyone can come up with the stats and a comparison vs the TL B3, that'd help.

Also, anyone got a good suggestion for LCD Screen protectors that will work for this laptop? I seek to avoid this problem in the future.

 

you will most likely have to reuse the inverter that came with the system the oem lg ones will not fit right usually in the gateway since they are mounted to a bracket attached to the bottom of the lcd. imo the tl-a2 is the best of the tl series. worst case is remove the bottom bracket and use you inverter and it will mount right up

there is one guy on ebay that sells awesome screens if he is still selling them ill check to see.

 

hmm looks like he is not on ebay any more ill see if he has any screens right now his were perfect grade a stuff i have bought a ton from him

 

Thanks for your help zfactor, it is greatly appreciated.

So I Imagine if I buy the TL A2, that will work as a replacement? The only problem I might come across is the need to use my current inverter built into the laptop?

 

wow you bought the adh and cant even use it, haha what newb. you paid them money and they denied you. you cant be serious. do you have an empty sack? seriously man. think about u bought and they denied you vfor something u have the right to. "i dont want to damage my laptop, but i bought adh that i cant use." give me a break

 

Let me Elaborate, since you seem to be in an intellectually stimulated mood of a rather particular vitriolic nature. I'll try and be polite since you seem to be in the particular nature of demeaning me, or rather, feebly attempting as such.

Yes, I bought the Accidental coverage. The damage is on the Polarizer, not the actual LCD screen itself. I have gone through both best buy as well as Gateway. Neither will assist me. The reason being is because the damage is on the Polarizer film. They stated that they could send it in, but it would take about 6 weeks to get it back, and most likely their insurance company would reject the repair as it "Did not impact user experience" on the laptop.

Furthermore. I have the 1920 X 1200 Resolution screen on my P7805U. Not the 1440 X 900 Res screen. I know for a FACT if I send it into Best Buy for repairs on the LCD screen, chances are extremely high they will slap the 1440 screen on there as a replacement because they stated that they have to repair it to factory specs. No guarantee etc I could utilize would leverage against them.

In Lamens Terms......

Even if I damage the laptop myself as an "Accident", the laptop will be gone 6 weeks, more time then I am willing to part with it, and they will probably botch the repair and stick the crappy lcd screen on there.

I do not know how much more clear I can make myself then that.

Good Day Sir.

 

haha whatever dude. i had a few dead pixels, they refused to fix it, i smashed the gaming lappy with adh and got a better one, 7805. ill stop here sir

 

your loss not mines. peace.

 

wow, you are such a boon to our waining economy. This is an insurance policy and to smash a system just to get a new one then constitues insurance fraud. since this is an illegal activity, and promotion of it, it then is against forum policy and those users should be banned............

 

I agree on the economy part. But isn't that method he used talks about all the time with the BB Accidental Warranty...?

 

Because people do it does not make it right., legally or morally. The insurance is for "accidental" damage replacement, not "trash to get a new machine" replacement. Go ahead and take a hammer to it and when you go in tell them you did exactly that to a good machine to get a new one and see if they'll replace it with the insurance!

So you go in and say you accidentally dropped it and get a new one. That is akin to intentionally totalling your car and collecting the insurance to get a new one. No matter what way you look at it, it is intentional insurance fraud. So this is both morally and legally wrong and it is against forum rules to promote illegal activity.................

 

As this insurance is intended to cover "accidental damage", to what extent is BB responsible? I get the impression from this post that they claim the computer has to be unusable (or almost unusable) in order for their coverage to kick-in. It is, in effect, like a deductible in that "small" claims (those pertaining to damage that doesn't render the unit unusable) will be handled by the user, while "big" claims (those that render the unit unusable) will be covered.

I believe it boils down to:

Did the OP cause the damage or was it defective? If the damage was self-inflicted, then I can see trying to repair it himself. It would have been nice if BB would have covered it, but as they didn't, this is a good solution.

If, however, the issue was present from the beginning, there should have been coverage, probably under warranty.

How many times can a claim be made against the insurance? I believe I have read on another thread that only one claim is allowed over the life of the policy. If this is the case, and a claim had been allowed this time, then his insurance would be done. (I may be wrong here...)

I just replaced the LCD screen in my phone rather than getting an insurance claim because the cost of the screen was close to the deductible of the insurance and I can only claim once per year.

Just my $0.02 YMMV

 

The situation that happened is basically that I opened the laptop and discovered the dent in the Film. I hadn't touched it in a week before that. So either something pressed against the film when it was closed against the keyboard, or my room mate used it and damaged it somehow. I take very good care of my electronics and games, so this entire ordeal and seeing this, as stupid as it may seem, is like heartbreak to me.

Regardless, the problem will be fixed soon. The contact number that Telios Tech gave me doesn't have a replacement screen, but they told me I could get the screen repolarized for 80 bucks.

I am going to take that option since its cheaper in the longrun. I'll be overnighting it to them tommorrow.

In the meantime, if anyone can give me the pertinent LCD statistics such as contrast Ratio, MS response time, viewing angles etc, and if possible, the type of polarizer film meant for this specific screen, LP171WU3 TL B3, I'd appreciate it as it may guarantee less issues.

Going to ship this off and insure the hell out of it. Shipping container advice is also appreciated if you guys know good types. I know I want a hard box and to wrap it in bubble wrap alot, but beyond that not much. I assume I also want to stick an anti static bag around it too.

 

Not sure of the spec's, this has been asked before I believe. I think if they replace the machine then coverage is done as it is a new machine. Not sure if say they just replace the keyboard then coverage is over as basically it is the same machine. You would have to read the fine print to be sure...........

I do think they only cover damage where the machine becomes unusabler is severly hampered. minor damage, such as cosmetic, is probably not covered.

Like yourself I am very carefull with electronics. Probably way over board here too. While I get strange looks for the way I baby my equipment I rarely have issues others seem to inevitably have.

 

so....

erm, what AUO/LG WUXGA models do the majority of users here have? Particularly interested to hear about AUO as the LP171WU3(TL)(B3) is proving quite elusive to track down over here in the UK!

thanks.