Dead pixel (nc8430) - what to do?

So the screen on my nc8430 has one dead (or, rather stuck) pixel in the bottom left quadrant of the screen. Thing is it's a bright blue color so it's very visible and annoying. I just got the system about 1.5 weeks ago. If I call HP, would they be willing to offer a replacement? I can even change out the screen myself it they would send me a replacement. Anyone have any advice?

 

You can try the "rub it out" method. No pun intended.

Most manufacturers have a policy regarding dead pixels, and one pixel is usually not enough.

Google "dead pixel replacement" and give them a call.

Might be far from a sure thing though.

 

If that pixel can be unstuck, this will usually do it- I have had a good rate of success fixing dead pixels on flat panels and laptops with it. It's a movie file that replicates an RGB color test in extreme fast forward, it'll force that dead pixel to cycle, and hopefully get it working again.

http://www.widowpc.com/members/fix_dead_pixels.zip
contains an mp4 file, requires quicktime or a good media player-
SEIZURE WARNING, contains fast blinking!!!

Try running this for a few hours- just set your player to 'loop' and walk away.

Best part is, it can't hurt to give it a try!

 

If none of those methods work and HP is unwilling to replace the system, simply return it! You are still within the return window, right? If they won't replace it just return it. Get your refund and buy a new system. Honestly, I think dead pixel policies are ridiculous. No dead pixels are acceptable.

 

Link doesn't work.

 

Huh, works fine for me. Here's the source page.
http://www.widowpc.com/2005/08/fix_dead_pixels.php

I know that it's a flippin' miracle given their complexity that so many screens don't have dead pixels, but I also find the 'five or more' (or seven) policies that are being widely adopted very annoying. One pixel doesn't sound like much but every time I've ever worked on a screen with even a single dead pixel, my eyes seem to focus on it and it strains my eyes terribly...

 

otakuoverlord you havent been on here long but ur full of knowledge i like you already lol i havent got any dead pixels on my screen thank god.

 

Thanks for the compliment Darth- I actually learn a lot from your posts too!

I've had to fly by the seat of my pants fixing computers without formal training for so long it's just second nature to me to have all these quick freebie fixes on hand at all times! =P

 

thats what i do i didnt go to college or anything i just learn as i go if a problem happens i gotta deal with it the best i can.

 

I agree hp will not exchange it because of 1 dead pixel. Return it and order another one then pray that it doesnt have any dead pixels

 

Well I tried both rubbing it out method and also the seizure-inducing video last night, but no results yet

However, I only had the video going for about 15 minutes. A few times, I saw that the pixel started "flickering", as in the bright blue was rapidly switching to different shades of blue, back and forth. However it stopped after a few minutes. Tonight I'm going to try to run the video for 4-5 hours and then try to rub it out immediately after. Hoping for the best!

 

That's a good sign- if it can be unstuck the video might just get it done. About rubbing it out... just be careful you don't apply so much pressure that you break the glass panes. A big, black oozing scar on your screen is probably worse than a single stuck pixel could ever be.

(Not that I've ever managed to do that before =)

 

A Dead Pixel is a Dead Pixel, don't waste your time. I just got done returning a laptop that had one, it will annoy the hell of you when see one. It will bring a obsessive compulsive disorder out of you. You need to come up with another reason to return the laptop to the manufacturer.

They could easily test the laptop before it leaves the factory to see if their is any dead pixels and drop another screen in. One or more is unacceptable. Especially if you will be using it for two years or more. I don't care what type of math they use (10 million pixels out of 1) if you can notice it than return it. Its a slick way to dump a reject on you at full price.

 

Dead pixels are somewhat rare nowadays...I haven't seen any on a new display for a while now. Since you're within the return period, I would ask them to swap it or RMA it. My money is betting the next panel probably won't have that issue.

 

Well if the pixel is really 'dead' you can't do a lot about it. But Amberite said it was 'stuck' which can be reset a little less than half the time in my experience.

Not saying he can't return it, just that it's a pain to RMA and wait for HP to get around to shipping your replacement out.

 

WOW it actually worked!!! I used that video you gave a link to and jumped in the shower, ate, did some other stuff. Came back after an hour of looping the video. The dead pixel was still there, so I kept the video running, and while it cycled through one loop, I rubbed the pixel pretty hard for about 30-45 seconds. I let go, looked, and it's gone! Amazing, I thought I was going to need to return the laptop.

Thanks so much for all your help guys! Special thx to otak

This video should be stickied somewhere because this is a great solution for fixing dead pixels.

 

Always happy to help, glad it worked out positively for you. In the olden days, I had to use my own custom VB software to run color patterns like that. Now they got all this fancy baloney emmpeefour garbage... i tell ya, kids these days.... (me being born in 1983)

 

i'll have to remember that my my desktop monitor has some dead pixels on it, i was born in 1982

 

mine has a dead pixel too :-( i dont think mines worth returning for though.

 

lol... thanks for this informative post i had a red pixel on my m1530 which i just got in the mail today. after reading this post I touch the pixel with my thumb for less than 10 seconds and its gone.

do they tend to come back? cuz if they do id like to return my laptop before my 21 days are up