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September 13th, 2004 01:00
Solutions for the recurring problem?
I was about to write about my woes with the "Vertical Blue Line Of Death" but seeing that this forum is already overloaded on the topic, I tried to peruse Dell options and see if I could either A) get service for my notebook...or...B) get a replacement LCD screen.
Alas...my notebook is not covered under warranty, even though I'm still about 4 payments away from actually owning my portable. It also seems that no laptop LCD screens can be found on this site.
This means that I will have to pay, probably through the nose, for 3rd party service or some generic replacemnt part.
But I begin to wonder about the sheer number of people with the same problem...and the same solution being given by the forum moderators. I begin to wonder if there is some problem with the manufacture of these sysytems and if Dell is knowingly selling defective products.
By the way, I bought my system new in 2001. On average I turn it on and use it about 10 times a year, mostly on vacation, so I believe that the screen is far from suffering old age.
Good luck to all.
bpat1434
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September 15th, 2004 13:00
To blame the blue line on a laptop display problem, and totally misconstrew all of the evidence that you yourself stated, is a little harsh. You must consider:
1) How you treat your laptop
2) Where it is stored
3) Usage of the laptop
4) Conditions of the laptop
5) Extrenious circumstances that come up
6) Accidents that have happened
7) Life of the screen
In answering all of these, you should eventually find your answer. If you treat your laptop well, no damage, no drops, no high heat areas, and you use it regularly (not 10x per year) then the LCD is expected to last about 3 - 5 years. However, if you don't give the pixels time to "exercise" then eventually they begin to degrade. Sometimes this can be at a faster rate than others. You must look at the entire picture, and not the most minute item and blame it on the easiest source.
Microsoft, for example, is open to ridicule because each of its operating systems from windows 95 and up has had atleast 2 service packs. You would think that MS would build a new OS where the current problems are NOT incorporated, and future problems are projected and solved so service packs are not needed; however, they do this for a reason: money. If you purchase your software and need to purchase a new service pack and can't download it, that's an extra few dollars. For everyone that does that, the income adds up. As a consumer of software, I don't like it and try to do my best to stay away from MS products, but can't because they are the benchmark of operating system software.
Dell in their own respect operate like this, with one exception. They put a product out there that will work for years, and only after non-commonsensical people handle the product, or do something stupid will it break. I do not believe that Dell owns the problem of YOUR lcd screen having a blue line in it. I also believe that you were a dunce for not thinking ahead and purchasing a warranty that would extend past your payment plan. So you're effectively giving them money.
Don't take this the wrong way. I'm not defending Dell or Microsoft or placing blame. I just hope that I opened your eyes to a larger picture and other factors that lead to LCD display problems.
~Brett