Run the Preboot System Assessment (PSA/PSA+). Press and hold the key while pressing the power button than release both. Record the sequence of beeps in a log.
1. Click the start button
2. Choose Control Panel
3. Choose System
4. Look for Display adapters
5. Is there a yellow circle with an exclamation mark in it next to Display adapters? (if there is, then the display adapter (a.k.a. the graphics or video card) is having trouble. (Take a note of any other yellow circles)
6. In any case,
7. Click the plus sign, this gives you the type of video/graphics/display card you have
8. Take a note of the type of graphics/video card you have and right click the name of the graphics card From the menu that appears, choose the last item – properties
9. The general tab has a troubleshoot button, use this by going as far as you can with answers that are closest to your problem.
10. If that does not solve the matter, click the Driver tab and take a note of the version of the driver (this will look like 7.0.9.6 or something similar) you will be looking for a larger number than this.
11. Go to http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/index.aspx?~ck=mn
12. This should be the page for the 9200 and it has a search field on the right of centre, type in video driver and press go
This sounds like the purple line of death. Dell has not yet officially admitted to this problem (as far as I know), but it is widespread and affects several laptops (mine is a 9300). The symptoms show up at about 18 months, then get worse. For more info see:
One hopes Dell will do the right thing and replace defective displays even when out of warranty (since the problem appears to be the result of defective materials, workmanship or design). But so far Dell seems to be diverting calls about this issue into their endless loop phone carousel or their transfer and disconnect dead end).
The displays Dell uses are maufactured by LG Phillips, a Korean company which is currently trying to create the largest lcd panels available. I wonder if Phillips will appreciate the bad vibes created by Dell refusing to take responsibility (http://www.lgphilips-lcd.com/). I am attempting to get a response from Phillips about whether or not they have already (or are planning) to correct the defect, and if so how one can tell from the part number or batch number or whatever (I operate a repair shop and would hate to replace a customer's display with one that will likely fail).
The LG Phillips part number on the display in my Inspiron 9300 is LP171WX2 B4. These displays can be purchased on ebay for about $225 (though one schmuck is trying to sell a display that has already developed vertical lines for $79 - I guess he thinks its a good deal because it has so few lines...).
Online Dell service manuals have instructions for removing and dissaembling laptop displays. It is a faily simple process to replace the lcd panel (many could do it themselves and any competent local computer shop should be able to do the job in well under an hour).
If Dell cared about their customers they would at least make replacement lcd panels available at cost (probably $100 or less) since so many are failing so soon after warranty. Instead Dell priced a replacement lcd panel for my Inspiron 9300 at $500 whether I do the work myself or send it in, about the cost of a comparable new laptop. Not a good way to treat long term customers...
Here is what I don't get: are these all SXGA screens? 1400x1050? If not how can we all have same LCD problem - is it something in between the LCD and video card. I saw some posts outside about people being offered replacement with potential $300 rebate if LCD is fixable - can't be that hard to fix if they are offering $300 back. Anybody has any knowledge about this? I opened mine up - it's a Phillips LG LCD named LP150E07-E3
All of the problems in recent laptops seem to be with LG Phillips LCD displays, especially the larger displays (mine is 1440x900). I don’t think it’s anything you can fix yourself unless you have a clean room and the proper materials and equipment to deal with driver or bonding problems ( http://www.moniserv.com/doc/panelrepair.html ).
I am just curious. What's a driver - are we talking about the software display driver? Or, is it some piece of hardware inside LCD. I am using my notebook as a desktop attached to a second monitor. So, it's really not that huge of an issue of replacing or fixing it right now - I am just being a dork trying to figure out how things work. Thanks.
A driver is a piece of software that sits between your computer and any piece of hardware.
The idea is that the driver lets your computer know what is attached to it and also ensures that the piece of hardware does what it says on the box.
Occasionally drivers become corrupt or are issued with bugs in them and then they do not do their job properly - this is the time to find and install a new driver.
I cant tell you how I get when I call customer service in India or where ever the it is.
We have tried numerous times to get someone to listen but they literally end the call.
I have never been rude or discourtious but dells screens and workmanship is horrible!!!
I have a 20 inc monitor and my Inspiron 9200 that has 12 lines in it!!! are you kidding me!
Needless to say, I am terminating my corporate account for my company with "DILL" due to the oversight in there service to loyal account holders.
Codewalker
75 Posts
0
October 23rd, 2006 09:00
Delierious
414 Posts
0
October 24th, 2006 08:00
kush35
5 Posts
0
October 24th, 2006 17:00
kush35
5 Posts
0
October 24th, 2006 17:00
Hi
Thanks so much for your answer about the vertical lines.
Unfortunatley I am not computer savvy.
would you mind sending me the step by step directions so that I can follow them.
I would truly appreciate it.
Thanks so much.
Jeannie
Delierious
414 Posts
0
October 24th, 2006 22:00
2. Choose Control Panel
3. Choose System
4. Look for Display adapters
5. Is there a yellow circle with an exclamation mark in it next to Display adapters? (if there is, then the display adapter (a.k.a. the graphics or video card) is having trouble. (Take a note of any other yellow circles)
6. In any case,
7. Click the plus sign, this gives you the type of video/graphics/display card you have
8. Take a note of the type of graphics/video card you have and right click the name of the graphics card From the menu that appears, choose the last item – properties
9. The general tab has a troubleshoot button, use this by going as far as you can with answers that are closest to your problem.
10. If that does not solve the matter, click the Driver tab and take a note of the version of the driver (this will look like 7.0.9.6 or something similar) you will be looking for a larger number than this.
11. Go to http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/index.aspx?~ck=mn
12. This should be the page for the 9200 and it has a search field on the right of centre, type in video driver and press go
13. It should take you to
14. http://search.dell.com/results.aspx?cat=sup&subcat=dyd&c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&k=video
15. now look down the list – is your graphics/video card there? Its name will be the same as the one of which you took a note.
16. Now you know if there is an updated driver, because the driver will have a higher number than your present driver.
17. Go back to http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/index.aspx?~ck=mn
18. Check out the “drivers & download help” that will explain what you have to do.
19. All the above is a lot of words, but boils down to about a dozen clicks of the mouse.
20. If you don’t succeed or you run into trouble or difficulties, post again. Nothing above will have altered anything on your computer.
don_alejandro
17 Posts
0
November 21st, 2006 16:00
This sounds like the purple line of death. Dell has not yet officially admitted to this problem (as far as I know), but it is widespread and affects several laptops (mine is a 9300). The symptoms show up at about 18 months, then get worse. For more info see:
http://forums.devshed.com/computer-hardware-103/single-pixel-lines-in-dell-inspiron-screen-382937.html?pp=15
(the thread currently goes on for 5 pages)
One hopes Dell will do the right thing and replace defective displays even when out of warranty (since the problem appears to be the result of defective materials, workmanship or design). But so far Dell seems to be diverting calls about this issue into their endless loop phone carousel or their transfer and disconnect dead end).
don_alejandro
17 Posts
0
December 3rd, 2006 17:00
The displays Dell uses are maufactured by LG Phillips, a Korean company which is currently trying to create the largest lcd panels available. I wonder if Phillips will appreciate the bad vibes created by Dell refusing to take responsibility (http://www.lgphilips-lcd.com/). I am attempting to get a response from Phillips about whether or not they have already (or are planning) to correct the defect, and if so how one can tell from the part number or batch number or whatever (I operate a repair shop and would hate to replace a customer's display with one that will likely fail).
The LG Phillips part number on the display in my Inspiron 9300 is LP171WX2 B4. These displays can be purchased on ebay for about $225 (though one schmuck is trying to sell a display that has already developed vertical lines for $79 - I guess he thinks its a good deal because it has so few lines...).
Online Dell service manuals have instructions for removing and dissaembling laptop displays. It is a faily simple process to replace the lcd panel (many could do it themselves and any competent local computer shop should be able to do the job in well under an hour).
If Dell cared about their customers they would at least make replacement lcd panels available at cost (probably $100 or less) since so many are failing so soon after warranty. Instead Dell priced a replacement lcd panel for my Inspiron 9300 at $500 whether I do the work myself or send it in, about the cost of a comparable new laptop. Not a good way to treat long term customers...
KarlHungus
6 Posts
0
December 4th, 2006 11:00
dellverticalline.com
spinecho
10 Posts
0
December 14th, 2006 02:00
don_alejandro
17 Posts
0
December 15th, 2006 16:00
All of the problems in recent laptops seem to be with LG Phillips LCD displays, especially the larger displays (mine is 1440x900). I don’t think it’s anything you can fix yourself unless you have a clean room and the proper materials and equipment to deal with driver or bonding problems ( http://www.moniserv.com/doc/panelrepair.html ).
spinecho
10 Posts
0
December 15th, 2006 23:00
Delierious
414 Posts
0
December 16th, 2006 09:00
The idea is that the driver lets your computer know what is attached to it and also ensures that the piece of hardware does what it says on the box.
Occasionally drivers become corrupt or are issued with bugs in them and then they do not do their job properly - this is the time to find and install a new driver.
kush35
5 Posts
0
January 2nd, 2007 17:00
kush35
5 Posts
0
January 2nd, 2007 17:00
f8photostudios
1 Message
0
January 2nd, 2007 17:00
We have tried numerous times to get someone to listen but they literally end the call.
I have never been rude or discourtious but dells screens and workmanship is horrible!!!
I have a 20 inc monitor and my Inspiron 9200 that has 12 lines in it!!! are you kidding me!
Needless to say, I am terminating my corporate account for my company with "DILL" due to the oversight in there service to loyal account holders.
-Good luck rats!!!