Dell E207WFP: OSD & Power Off Failure

Behind the switch on most monitors is a little board that is not that strong. Too much flexing and maybe it broke.

Your feedback is greatly appreciated "tr4". Considering the sequence of events that concluded with the failure I think your theory of a damaged circuit board is correct. While troubleshooting, the Dell tech instructed me to press the OSD key for 15 seconds after power down ... possibly this is where the circuit board was damaged as I could not display the OSD menu or get a response from the "input source select" key after the reboot.

Besides a probable circuit board failure, there are other problems with my monitor which I would like to understand before I proceed with either repairing or replacing it. Prior to contacting Dell Tech Support, the panel keys (OSD, input source select, etc) were functioning as required and I was able to display the OSD menu. However the scroll bar continuously scrolled through the OSD menu item list and could not be controlled using the front panel keys. The Dell tech thought that the OSD "microchip" was faulty but wasn't sure if it could be replaced. Is it possible to repair the OSD problem without great difficulty (significant cost)? For example, if I proceed with the replacement of the control keys circuit board would the replacement of the OSD “microchip” be a simple additional repair item for the technician?

First have you made sure your monitor is no longer under warrenty?

The symptoms you mention would seem like a switch or connection problem on the board. maybe the scroll button is stuck.

The chip is probably the main chip on the logic board. I am thinking that is not it.  You may have gotton a very knowlegeable support tect but dell sends out their monitors for repairs so it is hard to get information out of them that they do not know.

I don't have direct knowlege of the insides of you monitor as I have not had a broken one apart. People tend to hang onto them for years before they relaize it is doing them no good before I can get my hands on them to fix for family and friends. So I know more about the older ones.

Thanks again for your feedback “tr4”. Unfortunately the monitor is no longer under warranty as I purchased it a little over 1.5 years ago. I didn’t purchase an extended warranty because I thought I would get at least a 5 year service life out of the monitor considering the reputation for high quality that the “Dell” name brand carries. For example, I’m still using a Compaq monitor I purchased 13 years ago and I’ve never had a problem with it.

Out of curiosity I think I’ll take the next step and get an estimate of repair from a local electronics company. However, I read another posting on this website where a fellow had a damaged power switch and was given an estimate of $240 or so to repair. It doesn’t look like this turkey is going to fly again. I guess I’ll have to get by using a power bar and the “SoftMCCS” software for now.

My advice for you and anyone going int looking for an estimate. If they want more than a minimal charge to give you an estimate, be prepared to run.

Ask how many monitors they repair in a month.

A lot of shops don't have any knowledge of monitors. They will look for obvious things but since dell doesn't offer schematics, it will take some time to figure these things out. So you get a hgh estimate that you will refuse. They keep their reputation as a repair shop and you buy a new monitor

I do this as a hobby so time is not the point. The solution is the reward. Like any hobby, I lose money at it but that's not why I do it.  

Sometimes finding useable broken lcd's is the hardest part of my hobby. People hang onto them or want lots of money for them 

The high expense of monitor repair is that you have to do component repair. Dell rebrands manufacturers products. So there interest is pushing more product.

A few monitors have new manufactured boards but very few for very common problems. A lot of parts are generic enough to be sourced. Some are not. It takes time and effort to find replacements. I may spend several hours locating a $2 part. The more I get and do, the quicker I can find problems so my point about a shop that does lots. Sometimes having two with different problems makes it easier to fix both  so I have to stockpile them.

Your short life lcd is sad but that how things break, you did not have insurance (extended warrenty) and lost on this. If your pc holds up then the money you saved by not having to pay for a warrenty can be applied towards the new monitor or repair so you may break out near even. Good luck and let me know how you make out 

Yes “tr4”, your comments regarding warranty cost savings and repair/ replacement are valid. I guess I’ve just been exposed to the realities of the “Bic Pen” society.

Hi there “jpfan”. The electronic folks I’ve chatted with don’t think the problem I’ve encountered is due to a mechanical failure (power switch) or damage to the circuit board interfacing the front panel control keys. Prior to posting this thread I browsed through the Dell forum looking for previous postings related to this problem. I didn’t find very much info at that time. Since my last comment I’ve found a number of references in the forum to problems with “Power Saver Mode” monitor lockup. Some of the causes of this problem (in a variety of models) stem from “playing PC Games”, video card settings, corrupt monitor drivers, and problems with the DVI connection … they suggest using the VGA connection.

The folks I’ve talked to thought there was a “logic” problem with the monitor but stated there is so little info available on Dell equipment that they can only guess. They also said that Dell parts specific to the inner workings of the monitor (circuit boards, switches etc.) are very difficult to obtain. Any Dell user knows that obtaining motherboards and other major components are readily available through the superb Dell supply channel. With the wee parts it’s quite a different story apparently. If you can’t get the parts … you can’t fix the problem.

Restoring factory presets (using softMCCS) should unlock the OSD menu and front panel keys ... this has worked for some users. My OSD menu problem is somewhat unusual in that the scroll bar has gone berserk and scrolls continuously which is due apparently to a "microchip malfunction" ... no one seems to know for sure. 

I have a different problem with the E207WFPc monitor.  I've had it for a couple of years and leave it on most of the time continuously with no problems.  Yesterday it generated a very strong odor similar to nail polish remover.  Any ideas what has failed and if it's worth repairing?  Is there a way to remove the rear cover to allow me to search for the damaged component?