E193FP Text Problems

Question

I bought a $1400 Dimension 8400 computer that came with an E193FP 19' monitor.  It was the first LCD monitor I had ever used so I had nothing to compare it with.  Additionally, I was not using my computer very much for the first few months as I had bought it to take online college courses (which I am currently enrolled in).  I have now had it for 4 1/2 months and the text quality of this monitor is awful.  Black text on a white background is fuzzy and blurry and the letters s,v,w, and g appear to be almost transparent.  This puts a lot of strain on the eyes especially with the amount of reading and writing I have to do for these courses.   I have done some research on the web and have found that countless people have had, or are having the same problem as me with this monitor (see the following link).   The only real resolution to the issue is a different monitor.  Dell is very adamant that it will only replace this monitor with the exact same type monitor.  This leaves little room for customer satisfaction.    http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=dim_monitor&message.id=38724&view=by_date_ascending&page=1   30 days after I first contacted Dell about my problem and after Dell sent me 3 different (REFURBISHED) E193FP monitors, someone at Dell finally woke up and sent me a Dell 1901FP display.  The only thing negative I can say about this Display is that it’s a (refurb), (and I don’t trust any refurbished product) and it was last offered to the public in 2003.  This is 2005 and I requested a brand new 1905FP.  I am concerned that this monitor will soon have issues (and I will have to go through another month of long hours on the phone with non-English speaking people) to convince Dell that an E193FP is as substandard as it was when I first noticed my problems     Please take this into consideration the next time you purchase computer equipment.  If you can live with this, then by all means, go with Dell.  But if you too have been had by Dell, please register in Dell’s Forum and comment on this message.  Maybe together we can stop Dell from taking advantage of some other unsuspecting computer buyer.   What Dell should do is ship all these monitors back to the manufacturer and get their money back instead of trying to pawn them off on their customers.   I have always trusted Dell for all my computer purchases for both personal and business (oh, did I mention that I am Chief of Acquisitions at a large organization) use…but not anymore.  I wouldn’t buy from Dell again if they had a sale at 100% off.   Dell…you’d better start treating ALL your customers right…you never know who you’re crapping on.

derek101700 · Answer

it is not bad quality   try useing resolusion 1280x1024(the max)   it is because the minitor has to use all pixels at any resolution so it blends some of the pixels to the the color between the other 2 pixels (black)(gray)(white), that make text look really bad   GO TO www.microsoft.com/typography/cleartype/tuner/1.htm   microsoft clear type might help (helped me)(i know the link said that guy tried)   i have a 17 in ultra sharp and made it look alot alot better

SR45 · Answer

As derek suggested, use only 1280 x 1024 native resolution for that size LCD monitor.  Using anything else will not give you a good viewing experience.  LCD's are different than CRT's in that they run best at the native resolutions.  ClearType is also, as mentioned important to get rid of some of the jaggies.  If your DPI is set at 120 dpi, this to will mess it up so make sure its set at 96 dpi in Display Properties program

T._BONE · Answer

I had it (them) at the maximum resolution 1280 x 1024 at 60 Hz and 75 Hz. During my quest to resolve this issue I found the Clear Type Tool information and tried that also but to no avail. During this lengthy process, I have been tasked by Dell to remove and install hardware, drivers, and software. I have been asked to attach different monitors and any thing you can imagine. One of the support reps even tried to get me to do a PC Restore which would have erased my entire hard drive. So I refused to do that since all I really needed was a decent monitor

I could still connect a 10 year old KDS 17 inch CRT and my friends 19 inch Dell 1905FP to my system and with no adjustments, the problems were eliminated.

I originally thought this issue was isolated to the Dimension 8400 but I tried the monitor on my daughter’s Dell 2350 (purchased by me from Dell Dec 2002) and my Laptop from work and the results were as bad or worse.

What type computer do you guys have the E193FP connected to?

As stated in my original post, when I received the refurbished Dell Ultrasharp 1901FP a couple of days ago the problems with text are gone. The display has the same resolution as the E193FP so no adjustments were required. But here’s what I’m still upset about.

This monitor (1901FP) is old technology and is not offered for sale by Dell any more. It has scratches on the bezel and chipped paint on the base. This is all cosmetic and has no bearing on the performance of the device but I am not comfortable that this display will not develop problems prior to my warranty expiration in Aug 08. Because I an not looking forward to talking to Dell Customer Support again. In fact, if I never speak to them again it will be too soon.

Less than five months ago, I purchased a new high end, matched, computer system from Dell for my personal use. I was sent a system that include a monitor that was not fit for it’s intended purpose. In a period of 30+ days, Dell has shipped three refurbished E193FP displays that did not solve my problem. Dell paid shipping costs both ways and each of the monitors were followed by an invoice stating I would be billed $606.00 if I failed to return the defective monitors. They finally sent a refurbished Dell 1901FP that is used and has cosmetic issues but does not have the blurry text issues I was experiencing with the E193FP. The 1901FP’s predecessor is the 1905FP which currently sells (Brand New) for $399.00. $200 less than the refurbished E193FP and after paying shipping costs, Dell would have been ahead of the game if they had sent me the new 1905FP when I initially requested it.

Bottom line, I am not the one that should be stuck with refurbished equipment…Dell should, because they have a duty to ensure the products they sell are fit for their intended purpose, and this particular one was not. Dell should listen to the customer and do anything in their power to make them happy. I don’t feel that as a Home User, I was treated with the same respect as Business customers are and there should be no difference.

I will not consider my problem resolved until Dell listens to me and agrees to replace this monitor with a brand new one like the one I initially sent back to them. In the mean time, I am going to devote a lot of time doing reviews on the E193FP at as many vendor sites as I can.

SR45 · Answer

Unfortunately, after the 21 day return policy period, Dell does send out Refurbished systems, and monitors.  Its stated on their site, and really no way to get around that.  The 1901 FP is actually better than the E193 FP in that the 'E' stands for Economy, and you had the economy monitor origianally.   Sorry, but thats the business and Dell is not alone.  I bought a monitor from Dell, but it was a NEC and it went bad and had to contact NEC for the warranty work.  They sent me out another better monitor, but it to was refurbished.

T._BONE · Answer

I understand what you're telling me but that kind of information is should be as prominent on their site as the sale price.  I may be old fashoned expecting to get what you pay for but the E193FP monitor isn't even close.   I can see how Dell and so many other retailers can get away with dumping substandard products onto the consumer.  Its because we have forgotten about the valve of money.  We tend to accept what we are given and if it is not to our satisfaction, we think is't too much trouble to pursue and the easier road to to just make due with what's been dished out to us.   I am not upset with any of the Dell employees I have happened across...It is the corporate policies that I have issues with.  The only recourse we (the consumer) have is to choose wisely how and with whom we spend our money. And because we continue to allow this kind of of behavior from the retailers, it has become the 'NORM'.    It may be too late for me but I, for one, am at least going to try to do something to prevent this from happening to someone else.  Dell and other large corporations don't dictate how they will treat their customers...we do!

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