Dead pixels on my X300 Screen !!!!

Hello guys !
I have faced a problem yesterday with my Qosmio X300-158. I switched on the laptop and found dead pixels in a zone on the screen. I tried pressing it, after some tries, It was moved to another place. I tried later and it was moved to another place. Today, I switched on to find another zone which is affected about 2.5 cm away from the first. I am using 1440 x 900. I am sure that this is more than one pixel. It is like a group together. I can see them on a blank white display clearly from a 5 ft distance - but you need to focus a bit - , while being infront of the laptop, typing, I can easily spot it without any tire.

Another information that may help, that group of pixels are actually darker than a blank black display on the screen. Although If I looked very closely with a 2X magnifier, They seem to be a mix of green, red, cyan, magenta and yellow colors. I tried to measure it horizontally and it is 1 mm exactly of color mix dot - It can hide a fullstop character on my 1440 x 900 resolution, the other one is less than 1 mm. Moreover, If I switched off the screen - Switching off the power -, I can see them, but need to focus much to see them. If I tried to see them for a view of about 60 degrees when the monitor is switched off, I can easily see their shadows below them. And If I view it from the same position while the monitor is one, I can see white shadow.


I am confused, Are these dead pixels or there is something in between and if anyone knows what is Toshiba Warranty about that problem. By the way, the laptop is just 7 months old

I really need your help. Thank you

EDIT: More info: I have lowered the resolution to 800 x 600 and the pixels didn't become any larger. Same size. Is that good news ?
Using the magnifier and seeing the screen black grids, I was able to able to calculate the malfunctioning pixels, the big one is located in a 5x4(20) zone. 3x3(9) square is mixed with the colors, another 5 are scattered in the same 5x4 zone. The other zone is 2x2(4) and 3 of them are mixed also, Cyan, Green and Magenta.

 

I would still call Toshiba. Most warranties won't replace a monitor for a few scattered dead pixels, but a few clumps, I would hope so. I had a monitor that I replaced because of a similar issue. However, it happened right from when I powered up the monitor and was in the middle of the screen. I was going to give them hell if they said they wouldn't replace it. Most warranties may specify will replace anything over 7 dead pixels or something like that.

I wouldn't go into detail, I'd just tell them that you powered on your machine and had three big clumps of dead pixels. At least let them know that you cycled the machine a few times and no change. Don't tell them that you pushed the screen though. They may consider that caused the issue.

 

Yea, that what I will exactly tell them. I powered the machine to fond dead pixels and that actually what happened. I have called them, and seems I have to go to their center for a checkup. That will seem to take long time

For the replacement, I would hope so too, That dead pixels are over 7 dead pixels for sure. It is still under warranty, so I hope they take an action.

Thanks for your time

 

After some search, It seems to be a speck of dust under the LCD panel. I don't know how the heck it was gone inside. That illustrates why it was moving in a vertical motion everytime I press on it and it also have a shadow, when I put the screen in the sunlight. Am I right ?

 

If there's dust, then there's a manufacturer's defect. I wouldn't mess with it any more. Just send it back and request a replacement. There's no reason they should have to inspect it while you wait for it, unless there's a close service center that you can drive to. Tell them you can't go without a laptop for any length of time, and they may give you a loaner, or cross ship a new or refurbished laptop. You will have to pay for the new laptop, but as soon as they process your current one, they will credit your account.

I haven't dealt with Toshiba before though, but this is how it has worked for me with both Dell and Sony in the past.

 

Thanks htwingnut for your replies.

I know a Service Center to go to however it is 70 KM far from me which actually is a bit of a problem. And as you said, I can't leave the laptop for more than 1 day. I am in Faculty of Engineering, Computer Section and all my projects and assignments are on my laptop. That is actually another problem.

I really don't know why such quality laptops have such stupid defects

Thanks again.

 

Let me know how it works out. Surprised nobody else piped in here. It's issues like these that really makes or breaks a brand. If Toshiba takes care of you, then you'll be likely to go back to them. If not, well, it won't matter so much with your next PC.

Despite what people say about Dell, I've had good luck with how they've handled replacements. This is why I'll buy from them in the future. Not always the best build quality or components, but if they'll replace it without hassle, then I'm good.

 

I had my laptop in warranty repair with Toshiba for several weeks and I didn't get a replacement even after multiple phone calls and speaking with different people.
I really hope you'll get a replacement unit but I wouldn't count on it.
Please let us know how it turns out.

To be honest, I don't think any company nowadays handles problems like the customer deserves.
I think you just have to be lucky and hope nothing breaks.

 

You say, it is warranty repair for weeks ?
That won't suit me at all. I will simply kill myself if it will take all that time to be repaired. I will visit them on the next Monday, hoping to have a quick action and a quick repair from them, otherwise, There will be really a big hassle.

 

Man, especially with a laptop, I mean people rely on their machines so much to leave it for a week or two is insane.

 

That is for sure. I rely on it so much to do my work, plus my desktop can't handle the graphics I am working on. Leaving a laptop for weeks to be repaired is more than usual for a person whose daily work depends on it. In addition to that, I am sure the problem could be fixed in a matter of hours. It is all about opening up the monitor, then taking out the glass in front to remove that speck of dust - I can see the pixel black grids over it -. I know it is not that simple, as you need to work in a anti-static workplace or more dust will come in from air. I will clarify that to the guys there. If I was able to do that repair at my home, I was going to do that immediately.

About the ASP, actually, I will be ready to pay money for a quick service than leaving it for weeks to be repaired for free. Duhhhhh !

 

I take it you are out of the return window with the retailer you bought it from? Because if you can take it back for a replacement that would be the best option.

Btw Toshiba is not the only one with dust trapped between the reflective screen and LCD panel. HP laptops with the Infinity displays are notorious for this problem. Peruse their forums for this issue. I was planning on buying one of their laptops when I read of this problem. I emailed them and received an unsatisfactory response so I decided not to buy their product.

Now onto Toshiba, I have one of their laptops with the glare screen and dust getting trapped in between the LCD screen has not been an issue. In fact IMO, Toshiba uses some of the nicest, brightest screens sans the top-tier Thinkpads.

Each mfg handles this issue differently. Like I said I didn't like HP's response so I moved on. See how Toshiba deals with it. Be polite but firm, meaning you are taking NO for an answer, which includes either a complete LCD assy swap i.e. not taking yours apart and replacing the screen or defective part but giving you the complete sealed display assy. It's either that or you want a new replacement unit and not some refurb.

 

Well, the problem is, I bought the laptop form a country and I am staying in my home country now. I will travel again abroad, but that will happen after 4 months and I can't stay all that duration with that problem. Luckily, my Warranty is International and will be covered in my country as well.

About the problem, as I know the nature of the problem, replacing the screen would be the last option they may think about. They will try to fix the problem, and I know that it could be fixed, but I need it to be fixed in no more than 1 day.

Well, I can't judge or do anything now, but waiting to go to the Service Center and see how will they response. According to their response, I will respond too.

Thanks Rodknee for the clarification

EDIT: Forgot to say, that speck is not at the sides, it is in the middle of the screen and it is a particle, and not tiny to ignore too. My guesses is that thing was already there when it was manufactured, but when the laptop was moved in the bag traveling to the college, it moved and was dropped from up into the middle of the screen then I moved it a little.

 

Good luck Yamadron and I hope you get your problem resolved to your satisfaction.

 

I hope so too.

Thanks htwingnut and Rodknee for your opinions and help

 

Hello htwingnut and Rodknee !

Here is the latest news .I went today to the Service Center. So Long way, but I have to :cry:

The engineer saw it at first and he guessed these are dead pixels. The engineer checked it up at their workplace while I've went for a hike till he finishes. In about 30 min. I came back and he told me that the screen would be changed and he will order a brand new screen.

That was satisfactory for me. The guy was very helpful. There was no hassle at all and decisions were made in no more than an hour. I only needed to pay around 50 Euros for the Shipping fees and Custom Duties as my Warranty is International. He told me that the new screen will arrive in
3 ~ 7 days. So I told him, that I may take my laptop till the new screen arrives.
He told me that he won't mind that neither the Service Center but, the Original Manufacturer Company will need the old defected screen. That means that my laptop is without a screen now and there is no alternative but to wait for it. That is the thing that was very annoying for me. I am missing a lot of work to do. Doing it on paper is hard and consumes lot time. It seems I have to deal with that but everything was going flawlessly

Thanks a lot for your support

 

Well, I guess a semi-satisfactory result. Depending on your setup, without the LCD can you at least hook it up to a monitor? Or are you on the road too much to make the worthwhile?

 

I hope they're not going to just repair your screen while telling you the parts on order. There's no reason you should be without your laptop while they wait for the part.

Sorry Yamadron but my red flag meter went into alert mode. I truly hope i'm wrong at that they are not lying to you.

 

@htwingnut

Actually they are not minding me to take the laptop till the new screen arrives. But the Laptop will be without a screen. My old desktop doesn't have an LCD screen. So it will be hard a bit to do so, I guess. But may worth the try ! The VGA is fine. I don't know if the laptop can work if nothing is attached to the VGA or not.

Thanks

@Rodknee

As far as the guy told me, They need to send the defected screen back to the Mother Company. As soon as the defected one is delivered, the company will send a new one. I don't think they are trying to fix it. The guy already told me these are dead pixels and couldn't be repaired, so why he may try to fix it ? Anyway, I guess I could know if the Screen has been changed or not when the Laptop comes back. I have no other alternative. The laptop is without a screen, also lot of dust will enter in the cavity and I have no LCD Screen to connect to the VGA port.

Thanks for your support !

 

Hello guys. I just have received my laptop today. I know I catch it too late. It was already because of holidays here, but the laptop was already finished on Thursday. There was a full replacement for screen. They didn't fix it. And there was a 50 Euros for the Custom duties because of my International Warranty.

Hope this info helps you in future

Thanks guys for your support

 

Woohoo, i'm glad everything worked out for you.