[lugip] LCD fracture -- was bluetooth mouse

[Jon LaBadie]

Quite similar initial contact:

On Wed, Feb 13, 2008 at 09:57:36PM -0500, Greg Wilson wrote:
> Jon
> 
> I went through this same issue (exact symptoms) with a client's laptop
> this week. It was a Dell Latitude D610, and approximately 2 years old.

Mine is a Vostro 1500, about 5 months old.  I have no extended
warranty so this is hopefully covered under the 1yr limited warranty.

Speaking of warranty, the start date on the warranty, according to Dell
was 9/14.  That is the day the order was placed.  Not the date the
product was received, nor even the date of shipment (9/21).  While it
is only a week or 10 days, things have a way of happening just at the
end of a warranty.  Anyone encountered this policy of incorrect starting
dates and challanged it?

> 
> I got on a chat session with Dell support and they had to walk me
> through some tests (holding the function key while powering on the
> computer starts a diagnostic mode I was not familiar with previously).
> I spent 1/2 hour or so running through various tests, including
> connecting the laptop to an external monitor and confirming that the
> fault does not project on the external screen.

My chat was on the phone, but the same sequence.  I hesitated on the
external monitor test, it clearly seems to be the lcd panel.  When I
pointed out the blank area changes with a light touch of the screen
that confirmed a damaged lcd panel for the support person.

> 
> In the end I got no argument from them about replacing the screen. I
> was stunned. Of course, they wanted me to ship the laptop somewhere to
> have it replaced and that wasn't acceptable. They ended up
> overnighting the new screen to me. It arrived yesterday and I replaced
> it today. It took me about an hour and a half. There were no
> instructions included with the part, but I got on another chat session
> and it only took a few minutes for them to give me a URL with fairly
> detailed instructions on the replacement. Literally, the hardest part
> was removing the 6 rubber pads that cover the screws in the plastic on
> the lid.

I was willing to return it.  Next day DHL dropped off a shipping box
and waited while I packaged the laptop.  Instructions included remove
the battery and hard drive.  Oh shoot, the phone instructions said to
include the AC adapter and in my rush with DHL waiting I forgot to
include it.  Well I'll call tomorrow to see how to handle that bit.

> 
> Good luck. Feel free to ping me offline if you have any questions.
> 
> greg
> 
> 
> On 2/13/08, Jon LaBadie <jon at jgcomp.com> wrote:
> > Those with good memories may recall I asked about
> > a non-working bluetooth mouse.  Well Logitech agreed
> > it was defective and yesterday I got the replacement.
> > I think the model I had was discontinued and they sent
> > a newer, more expensive model.
> >
> > Unfortunately I still can't test it because the laptop
> > went back to Dell the day before.  So another query ...
> >
> > It looks to me like the LCD broke (fractured) internally.
> > Starting from a point about 1/3 in from the left and 1/3
> > down from the top, there are horizontal and vertical
> > bands of no image (white).
> >
> > I know exactly when it happened, but not what.  I was
> > using it on my lap when the doorbell rang.  Closed the
> > lid, answered the door, and when I returned the screen
> > was bad.
> >
> > I can see no physical marks on the case or glass surface
> > that correspond to the damage (nor elsewhere for that
> > matter).  So what might make an LCD fracture?
> >
> > I'm expecting Dell to claim it was not a defect and
> > that I caused some damage.  Any suggestions for counter
> > arguments?
> >
> > jl
> > --
> > Jon H. LaBadie                  jon at jgcomp.com
> >  JG Computing
> >  12027 Creekbend Drive          (703) 787-0884
> >  Reston, VA  20194              (703) 787-0922 (fax)
> > _______________________________________________
> > Lugip mailing list
> > Lugip at lugip.org
> > http://www.lugip.org/mailman/listinfo/lugip
> >
>>> End of included message <<<

-- 
Jon H. LaBadie                  jon at jgcomp.com
 JG Computing
 12027 Creekbend Drive		(703) 787-0884
 Reston, VA  20194		(703) 787-0922 (fax)