crooked LCD!

Question

Hello!

Recently, my 8500 LCD screen became crooked for a reason unknown to me (that is, it was on an angle, higher on the left, lower on the right). Previous to this, it was perfectly straight. I called Dell about this, had the LCD replaced - but the problem was still there!

The technician ordered another service, this time with a new screen and new casing for the LCD (so basically the entire top portion of the computer!) -- the problem was STILL THERE!

The next step was to send it away for service, where they replaced the screen and backing again ... the problem was still there. They then replaced the videocard and it seemed to be fixed, however it is only improved. The slant is more slight, but it is still there. It tends to mess with your eyes a bit, because the slight slant occurs over the 15inch span.

Anyhow, I'm trying to find a logical explanation for the problem, and wish to find a way to correct it (aside from taking the thing apart myself, which will be the last resort). The work I do requires precision, and when I spend this amount of money on a computer I expect it to be near perfect! Has anybody else come across this problem? if so, what was the solution? Could it be something simple (screws?), due to the fact that expensive hardware replacements didn't correct the problem entirely?

My issue at the moment, is that the Dell technicians have signed it off as being fixed. I'm also told there's a certain margin for error, however the computer was not like this when it was purchased 8 months ago. So I'm uncertain of what to do next, I am prepared to pay for the service but need to find the cause of the problem before I arrange this.

Andrew (sadly, mr.crooked)

Rollie_R · Answer

Andrew,

Thank you for using the Dell Community Forum.

This is not a problem that I have seen described before, and I would like to get more information in order to see if I can help.

Does the LCD appear to be crooked in the housing? Does the picture appear to be crooked on the LCD? All of the hardware has been replaced, and usually that would make me think that it is a software problem, but I cannot conceive of a software problem that would cause this. I assume that you have updated the drivers and tried different versions of the driver. Please try hooking up an external monitor and see if there is any similar effect on there.

Please describe the problem in greater detail, if you can. Any detail may help in determining the cause of the problem. I really wish that I could see your LCD.

mr.crooked · Answer

Hello and thanks for the prompt response!

Yes, the LCD does appear crooked in the housing. If you look in the bottom left corner, it is slightly higher than the right. The top right is slightly lower than the top left. The image on the LCD is perfect, however it is slightly crooked in the housing. Basically the black borders (edge of display area) along the bottom used to be level with the LCD panel (it was not on any slight angle).

The service technician said the problem was resolved by replacing the videocard -- however I'm uncertain how it could be a video problem, as video cards don't usually draw pixels on an angle. Anyhow, it was obviously crooked in the housing, as initially you could see the edges of the LCD panel hanging down on the top right (the extremity of the display panel itself). This has been improved, but is still not straight. A precision ruler shows that it is raised on the bottom left, and that the screen is not level with the housing.

I'm using the latest drivers from Dell, also seems ok on external monitor. I will try it on another one today, but I'm pretty sure this was ruled out.

The screen had been replaced once previous to this issue. Can the display assembly diagram supply any clues to how it could be still slightly crooked in the housing?

I agree it's an odd issue. I'd like to try to make some logical sense of it -- and then have it corrected..

Rollie_R · Answer

Andrew,

If the LCD is crooked in the housing, then it is definitely a hardware problem, and service will be required. You will need to contact Technical Support. If you are sending your system in for service, then make sure that you include a note that describes the exact problem in as much detail as possible. If you have an onsite warranty (where the technician comes to you) then explain that you would like both the LCD and the LCD housing replaced, especially if they only replaced the LCD previously. It is possible that there is something wrong with the LCD housing that is causing the LCD to be crooked in the housing.

mr.crooked · Answer

Hello,

This is certainly what I believe. However, the LCD, the housing and the alluminium back panel have all been replaced -- twice! The problem has been improved, but the slight angle is still noticable when reading text on screen. It's very hard to see when only looking at the black borders around the edge -- though it is slightly higher on the bottom left hand side. Generally, reading on it gives me a headache and this was not the case before.

How this is possible I'm not sure, but the last technician said the problem was fixed and must have believed so. However, it is still not how it was.

I'm uncertain what the next possible solution could be -- It's not a videocard problem, and the entire top of the computer is basically new. There's nothing in the main unit itself which could be making the LCD crooked is there? (you wouldn't think so)

So what's logically left? screws??! There must be a logical answer.

kind regards,

Andrew

mr.crooked · Answer

Hello.

Any luck in finding any logical answer to a crooked LCD? With the hardware replacements undertaken, what else could remain?

It has been a bit frustrating trying to get an answer for this issue. Dell designed and manufactured the machine, so there must be somebody with sufficient knowledge to understand what could cause this issue and the steps required to correct it. So far I've received various responses, all very similar. No one seems to have any answers yet.

I urge anybody with a similar issue to raise it with Dell. I believe any slight angle on an LCD panel is unacceptable, and should be viewed for what it is -- a fault.

Any advice or help your could offer me in finding a solution to this issue would be greatly appreciated

sincerely,

Andrew

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crooked LCD!

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