Dead Pixel Dilemma - Vaio Z

Hi all,
Well I've brought up the dreaded dead pixel issue that comes up from time to time and I just need everyones guidance.

I received my Vaio Z21WN/B last week and it is a spectacular laptop. However I was pretty miffed when I found there was a glowing pixel in the middle of the screen.

Upon inspection on a black background I have managed to single out over SEVEN of these pixels, all of them seem white apart from one which is red.

Now the pixels are very hard to see, some more difficult than others and you do have to look for them to find them but it's like anything of this nature, once you know they're there you just go looking for them and they gradually become more annoying each time

I bought the laptop from an eBay seller and really it wasn't his fault for selling this as it was as the unit was sealed and he would not of known this until it was opened. It'd be pretty bad of me to ask for my money back when he was a private seller.

Do you reckon I'm within my right to phone Sony and ask for a replacement screen or should I not bother?

Are there any users on here who have dead pixels on their laptop screen and just put up with them? Is this a widespread problem with most people worldwide or is it just the select minority people such as myself that are bothered about it?

 

You could contact the eBay seller and tell the person about your situation. See what the response is. You can also contact Sony and ask them about it. It wouldn't hurt to try. Some people have "fixed" problems like this on their own. I'm sure there's a thread or two about pixel issues.

 

man.. that sucks

best of luck!

 

theres a way that you might be able to fix it. if you download dead pixel buddy and cycle through the colors fast enough it might get unstuck. worth the try.

 

If it is under warranty, Sony should replace the screen free of cost - most manufacturers have a 3-dead-pixel policy. Seeing as you have 7, they should replace it.

 

Sony's standard is 8 dead pixels. Look for another pixel and you're in "luck" (the ironic kind of luck.)

 

Thanks for the response guys. I think there are more than 7 dead pixels although they don't seem to be as noticable as the other ones.

The only thing I'm worried about is if I do get a replacement screen that it could be worse than the one it's replacing. On this current screen there's no black pixels on a white background so they're not really noticable unless you look closely at the screen on very dark colours / black.

If I do get a replacement screen and that also contains dead pixels, there might not be enough to again warrant another screen replacement.

Really don't know what to do.

I hate this dead pixel fiasco!!

 

if you have multiple dead pixels i wouldnt worry about getting one that is worse. your at the limit. at this point it can only get better. typically if you have close what thier pixel policy is they will replace it anyway. they know your in bad shape.

however i would not tell them you got it from ebay. i would just say its new. saying its from ebay will only cause you problems. if they ask where you got it you should just say it was a gift.

 

Oh you mean it might not be as bad. Why is that a bad thing?

 

Why? Isn't it still a Sony Vaio laptop? Sony should stand by its products no matter what it is from IMO.

 

True, I suppose I have a much greater chance of receiving a better screen than what I have now (I hope!) it just seems like this is all a great gamble.

When I mentioned about receiving a screen that is worse, I meant one that contain black pixels which IMO are worse as you can see them much more easily as the screen is lit up most of the time. The chances are that I could be stuck with something worse that I won't be able to get replaced again.

I never seem to have much luck with laptop screens.

Oh descisons, descisions!!

 

I could be wrong, but I don't think they give you a brand new unit. All they do is repair your defective screen of dead pixels. So I would assume you are guaranteed to have it repaired to new. If you want to make sure, call them and post their response here.

 

Well I spoke to Sony support today and they said that for this particular model of laptop I would have to have a minimum of 9 (yes you read right, NINE) dead pixels to warrant a sceen replacement.

I don't know about anybody else but I think this is absolutely ludicrous and certainly a massive thumbs down for Sony.

I can't beleive that Sony can treat customers who are buying one of their flagship products like this, this really does feel like a kick in the face from a brand I've been loyal to for so long.

To make matters worse, I was told if my laptop was to be sent and and no problem be found (highly likely, knowing them) I would be charged £140 + VAT - again absolutely absurd, so basically they'd charge me £140 just to look at the screen and say 'Nothing wrong with this screen, sorry can't have a replacement, however that's £140, credit card please?)

I am EXTREMELY dissapointed in Sony.

 

the only thing i can say is you could try asus. They have a 30 day free no bright pixel policy on notebooks. (not netbooks) and many have a free 1 year accidental warrenty in addition to the standard 2 year warrenty.

it doesnt solve your problem now, but may be an option in the future.

 

That doesn't help with dead pixels though, I don't think. ASUS policy on dead pixels isn't any better.