Few comments,

Chris, I would invite you to my theatre to witness using compressed air to "remove" (this process just pushes dust through and around the inside of the unit...not out of the unit.) dust out of the projector in which dust will accumulate in the lense area.  To test and make sure you did things correctly, in your procedure I would assume that you don't turn off every single light in the room where it is completely dark and then "test" the picture in that dark setting during dark slides or scenes of a movie after you "removed" the dust.  Once some dust gets into the projector I follow the procedures outlined by Dell and the problem gets much worse...and this has happened 5 times to me alone and I've read messages with the same results...so what are you doing different that is not in the standard procedures outlined by Dell?  I will do what you say, and what is recommended by Dell if it works.  All I'm asking for is some valid, comprehensive instructions.  At least send out a document decribing how to take the projector apart, clean it and put it back.  Dell DOES NOT test the projectors in a dark room scenario.  If they did, the instructions to clean the projector would entail dismantling it and then using compressed air.

A "replacement for a like projector" should not include a REFURBISHED projector.  That is NOT a "like" projector.  That is a projector that had something wrong with it, returned, fixed (hopefully...I've actually returned 3 projectors that didn't work...this is above and beyond the 4 that actually worked), NOT TESTED adequately and sent as a replacement.  A replacement for my NEW projector would be a NEW projector.  I can't beleive I'm wasting my time explaining this.  When my wife's LCD on her Dell laptop went caput...she got a NEW LCD replacement (twice!!)...not a refurb'd one...again, Dell's inconsistancy with their own rules and standards.

Do you have ANY information on how to get this projector serviced?  Who can do it, where to send it...Dell authorized service centers?  ANYTHING!?!?

Lastly and probably the most funny is that my original warranty seems to be completely voided when I got my last refurbished projector.  Based on my original purchase and Service Tag, I have 40 days on my warranty (verified online at Dell and with my original receipt).  Based on my latest refurbished projector and the new Service Tag associated with it, my warranty has been "expired" by Dell.  In which case, I am now left with a projector out of warranty and seemingly falling apart.  I received an email from "In-Warranty" customer service that they will NOT replace my projector because it is out of warranty.  I explained the issue...and I got the lovely, "I'm sorry but we cannot do anything."  Isn't that special.

All I would like is for Dell to at least TRY to retain me as a customer.

fett19,

"I would suggest Dell to remove that as using compressed air will make the problem exponentially worse."
How? I have done it on several models and haven't seen any problems?

"there is no "high altitude setting on my projector"
Correct, it is only on the following projectors, (2200MP, 3300MP). I will update the FAQ.

"and I would assume that turning on a second fan wouldn't circulate air better but what it would do would enhale more air and what little dust there is in my theatre."
That doesn't make sense. More fans will circulate the air better. Plus, they both push air out of the projector, not pull it in.

Under warranty, you may always get a replacement like for like projector.

Dell doesn't repair or service any product. If they are defective we replace them.

fett19,

Read this .
"During the remaining years: For the remaining period of the limited warranty, we will replace any defective part with new or refurbished parts, if we agree that it needs to be replaced."

There aren't any Dell Authorized Service Centers.

The warranty dates from the original 3200MP apply to all the replacements. Private message me the original and current service tag numbers.

Your comment..."Plus, they both push air out of the projector, not pull it in." is interesting.

It doesn't matter whether the air is "pushed out" or "pulled in". Air STILL has to come into the projector from SOMEWHERE to replace the air the fans are moving. So if the air is being "pushed out", it is being "pulled in".

The projector does not operate in a vacuum, nor does it have an internal supply of fresh, filtered air. The air in the room is constantly being circulated through the projector. And it does not matter whether the projector has filters or not. With one or more fans inside the projector, the air will come in through ANY openings, cracks or even the input ports.

I saw one projector one time that had pulled so much dust into it that the USB port was completely obscured.

Message Edited by sheridan1952 on 10-28-2006 01:40 PM