Just a quick update.  After some research I've determined that they are definitely stuck pixels (more than 50 of them).  I've tried a couple of downloadable programs that are supposed to help unstick them (in some cases), but they don't help at all.

 

Right now I'm no the phone with the "Specialized" XPS tech support to hopefully get a replacement monitor.  I have to say (and I'm a big Dell supporter) that I'm NOT impressed with this "special" tech support.  First of all, when I told the technician what my problem was he asked me, "What do you mean by stuck pixels?"  I explained it to him and then he asked, "Do you mean it's like you're seeing tiny dots all over your screen?"  Now you can see why I don't hold out much help.  Right now, I'm on my 4th long hold while he reseraches the problem.

One more update.  It's an hour later and I am on hold again as the technician finishes up the case and the paperwork.  After his troubleshooting, he is convinced that this is NOT a monitor problem, but a video card problem and is going to ship me out a replacement video card.

 

I'm not sure I understand or agree, but actually, I hope he is right.  I am one of those who got a great 2407FPW with no banding and have been very pleased with it.  I would hate to have to replace the monitor and end up with one with problems.  So, now I'll wait for the new card and see if the stuck pixels disappear.

ChrisM, Thanks for answering.  Yes, they are still there in Safe mode.  The Tech Spt guy did have me restart in safe mode to verify that.  The three main things he did were:

 

1.  He had me disconnect the monitor from the computer (monitor power still on).  That gave me a black screen with the box that moved around the screen telling me the cable wasn't connected.  In that configuration (not connected to the computer), the black screen did NOT show any stuck pixels.

 

2. Using Dell Connect he was able to see my screen and he could see the stuck pixels.  He said that if it was a monitor problem, he shouldn't be able to see the stuck pixels on his monitor.

 

3. He had me restart in safe mode and once again using Dell Connect he verified that he could still see the stuck pixels.

 

Another issue I've noticed the last couple of days is that when I scroll a page (especially with a white background), I get different color vertical lines (very thin, maybe a pixel width) scrolling down the screen. 

ChrisM, again, thanks for the quick reply.  The video card installed is the 7900GS and thanks for the offer, but the XPS Tech Spt guy has already started the process for replacing the video card.  Actually, I wish I would have gotten your reply before dealing with Tech Spt because I can easily handle replacing the video card and tried to convince the Tech Spt guy of that fact, but he insisted that since I have an XPS desktop that they needed to send a technician out to my house to do this.  Of course, that will take longer because once he gets the card (5-7 business days), then he has to contact me and set up a convenient time to come and replace it.  If the Tech Spt guy would have sent it directly to me then once I got it (still probably 5-7 business days) I could install it at my own convenience (night or weekend).  The bottom line is that the process has started, I can still use my computer in the meantime and I don't have to hassle with shipping back the old card (the technician will handle that).

 

Again, Chris, thanks for all you do on these forums. 

I wanted to take a moment to give some good news about Dell Support on this issue.  As I stated earlier in this thread, the decision was that my video card needed replacing and XPS tech spt said that the local technician would receive the new card in 5-7 business days and then call me and set up an appointment.  Well, I started that tech spt call late Wednesday night and didn't actually finish until early Thursday (yesterday) morning, so I figured it would be at least the end of next week before I heard anything.  Imagine my surprise when the local technician called this morning (a little over 24 hrs after I got off of the phone with tech spt) and wanted to set up an appt for today.  He'll be coming by this evening to change my video card.  Now, that is good, quick service.

 

I know many people will say that we are guaranteed next-day service (XPS), but I understand that is from when the local technician gets the parts.  In this case, I am actually getting next-day in-home repair.  Good job Dell!

 

I will post back once the new card is installed and let everyone know if it fixes my pixel problems.

I said I would report back when I got the new card.  The good news is that it was definitely the video card and NOT the monitor.  Dell did replace my nVidia 7900GS with a nVidia 7800GTX though.  I've asked for opinions in the video forum as to whether or not the replacement is better, worse or equal to the old card.  Although it is apparently an older card, the consensus so far is that it is a better card.