Official Backlight Bleeding Complaint Thread for Dell 2005fpw

[james111]

^^^ WoW, I'd definitely get a replacement if mine looked like that
but if it doesn't bother you, just keep it.

 

[Xyrax]

Just a few minutes ago the lower left corner developed some bad backlight bleeding. It's going back for sure now.

Just to be sure I've understood everyone correctly, when I call Dell for an RMA, will they send me a replacement monitor first before I send this one back so I don't go without a monitor while waiting for the RMA proccess?

 

[Budman]

Just to be sure I've understood everyone correctly, when I call Dell for an RMA, will they send me a replacement monitor first before I send this one back so I don't go without a monitor while waiting for the RMA proccess?

Yes they will. It took 3 times for me before I was satisfied. I just held on to them till I got one I was ok with.

 

[Xyrax]

That's good to hear. Thanks. I'll be calling on Monday to start the proccess.

 

[Juic3]

I just recieved my 2005FPW. Wasn't expecting it until Monday but I guess due to xmas being so close, FedEx is delivering on Saturday's for free to try and get packages to people on time for xmas. Anyway, it's a Rev A03 and has zero dead pixels. There is a very minor backlight issue where on a black screen theres a diagonal line from upper left to lower right of uneveness. It's not major though. It's so minor I may not RMA it. I still haven't decided yet. I'll try to get a pic posted later tonight when it gets dark out.

[edit]
I was able to get some pics that are fairly accurate. They were taken with a cell phone camera so not the best quality. Also it is slightly exagerated by the cell phone camera.

Pic take straight on

Pic take from an angle

Not that bad actually, mine was 10x worse.

 

[beerface702]

Ok these monitors arent the best of the best but for the price u shouldnt be bitching so much

i got mine today knowing of the backlight issues, it is pretty bad, but only at boot upwhen its relaly black or in some dvds..i played with the settings enough in nvid control to make it nice in overlay mode. games look great! anything with color is awesome, ive only had it 3 days now. I mean if it gets to the point where color looks like crap also then i will prolly just return it for a refund and go on with my life and look into other buys.

its an lcd, most of them have backlight issues, some worse then others. its not like u went and bought a 2500$ syntax or sony lcd panel and expect the best, hell even on my friends 42 in syntax lcd there is slight bleeding. but what do u expect.

get over it.

 

[Flapjack]

I would have to disagree with those saying not to bitch about backlight issues. I have come to expect a much higher level of quality from Dell. Also, keep in mind the MSRP is almost $600 for this monitor. I guarantee you, there are people less educated on buying stuff on the internet, who pay full price for this thing.

I've always built my own computers, but I've almost always purchased Dell monitors not just for the price (when using coupons), but also for the quality. Until now.

I have a 2001FP (20.1" full screen) that I wanted to replace with a 20" 2005FPW. When I got it, the backlight was so bad, I noticed it during just about everything. Especially with movies and games, though.

I called, and they sent a replacment next day air. When I first plugged it in, it looked awesome. I immediately called and thanked Dell for helping me and shipping it out so quick. .....it now looks worse than my original 2005FPW. That would explain why so many of them are going out the door with these problems.

Here is a comparison of my 2001FP (perfect) with my 1st 2005FPW.

 

[Xyrax]

I got my replacement today and so far there's no backlight issues. There is a single dead pixel though off towards the right side. This one's a keeper. It's another Rev A03 made in November 2005.

 

[anasazi]

UPS finally came to take mine back

refund should arrive shortly

 

[303 Wolverine]

call:

800 624 9897
4
1
2
4
2
2

they're closed right now

wow.... obviously you have dealt with Dell CS waaaaaaayyyyyy too many times. which says alot about Dell.
My brother's 19in Dell has bad backlight bleeding around all sides. needless to say, I bought a Sony CRT monitor instead of a 2005fpw

 

[Xaeon]

Brand new, just got it today.
The bleeding is quite noticable. It is even noticable on the normal xp desktop with a bright wallpaper.

Revision A03
Mexico
November 2005

Needless to say, this one is going back. Too bad since it has no dead pixels.

 

[tim-x]

Mine looks pretty much like ^^^
but I'm debating whether to send it back or not... realistically... what're the chances of me actually getting one with NO backlight issues?
Anyone have one that has no backlight bleeding at all?

 

[Flapjack]

I should be getting my new one today. If it has the same problem, I'm gonna explode!

 

[asianguy80]

I got mine and it was a Rev A02 Nov 05 and it was perfect for about 3 weeks now there is slight backlight bleeding in the upper right-center area of the screen but it's only noticable when i'm using DPB to check for dead pixels on the black screen test and im' sitting in my room with the lights off. i'll take a pic of it tonight and post it tomorrow but meanwhile here is what the 2005fpw looked like upon delivery.

 

[ddoud]

Brand new, just got it today.
The bleeding is quite noticable. It is even noticable on the normal xp desktop with a bright wallpaper.

Revision A03
Mexico
November 2005

Needless to say, this one is going back. Too bad since it has no dead pixels.

Basically what mine looked like... maybe that IS mine... hahah... send er back!

 

[Xaeon]

Ya, I called today and they are sending a new one.

Beware all. The A03 Novembers are NOT necessarily free from problems!

 

[Flapjack]

Ya, I called today and they are sending a new one.

Beware all. The A03 Novembers are NOT necessarily free from problems!

I just found that out. Got my replacement today and opened it up. It looked great (albeit not perfect) as soon as I hooked it up. After being on for an hour, however, I have pretty bad bleeding in the upper-right and lower-left corner. I also have some bearable bleeding in the upper-left.

I'm curious as to what Dell's gonna do now. Christmas is in 2 days.... this was supposed to be an early Christmas present... now it's gonna end up being a late Christmas present.

 

[asianguy80]

Strange I was taking pic's of the light and it seems that on camera I can't tell where the problem is and it looks fine and I looked at it closer and it's very slight backlight bleeding but not noticeable at all so it's ok.

 

[Flapjack]

My wife said I was being picky until I set up my 2001FP right next to the 2005. The 2001 was perfect.

I was talking to a Dell rep during the last exchange. He was in the India call center, and was pretty knowledgeable regarding builds of these monitors. He said the 2001FP was actually made by Dell, and the 2005FPW was contracted out.

I'm waiting for a call, my case has been escalated.

 

[asianguy80]

I was talking to a Dell rep during the last exchange. He was in the India call center, and was pretty knowledgeable regarding builds of these monitors. He said the 2001FP was actually made by Dell, and the 2005FPW was contracted out.

Interesting does the Indian rep know who it has been contracted to?

 

[Flapjack]

He didn't say. But he did say after a certain amount of complaints, they'll check out the contract.

On the bad side, they don't have any history on this problem. Can you believe it??

Interesting does the Indian rep know who it has been contracted to?

 

[WCES Ryan]

How do I check for bleeding?

A moment ago I made an all black image in paint shop pro and did a full screen preview, is that okay?

 

[Flying Fox]

Is backlight bleeding a legitimate reason for a replacement? Mine also has no dead pixels (so far) and yes, it is the A03 November 2005 Mexico unit, bought during the Dell.ca one day deal.

Push come to shove I can learn to live with it, cost was the reason why I chose this over the 2405FPW in the first place. I know I am looking down something better with whatever DRM crap they are going to be compliant in at least a year down the road anyway. I really don't want to wait for the replacement (I won't be off and be at home waiting for the shipment) and receiving a potentially worse unit.

 

[WCES Ryan]

Is backlight bleeding a legitimate reason for a replacement? Mine also has no dead pixels (so far) and yes, it is the A03 November 2005 Mexico unit, bought during the Dell.ca one day deal.

Push come to shove I can learn to live with it, cost was the reason why I chose this over the 2405FPW in the first place. I know I am looking down something better with whatever DRM crap they are going to be compliant in at least a year down the road anyway. I really don't want to wait for the replacement (I won't be off and be at home waiting for the shipment) and receiving a potentially worse unit.

I just bought mine off Dell.ca yesterday? How much did you pay and when did you buy, if you don't mind my asking?

 

[Flying Fox]

I just bought mine off Dell.ca yesterday? How much did you pay and when did you buy, if you don't mind my asking?

It was the "12 days" deals just before Christmas. And I was glad that I paid only 499+tax. Today's deal is pretty good, probably the last before the 2007FPW comes out. But even at ~530 it's still a pretty good deal.

Problem is this backlight, now that I know about it, it will be hard to accept it. Although only dark movies in dark room I will notice it most. I knew full well this will not be my ultimate monitor, but it is already way better than my dying 17" CRT.

With regards to setting backgrounds and stuff, you can get Dead Pixel Buddy to give you various backgrounds. And yes, setting a background image with black colour will do it too. A crude way is to preview the blank screen/logon screen saver.

 

[Flying Fox]

Here is what mine looked. Although it's not as bright since I took a bit more exposure, but you can clearly see 3 areas of bleeding: bottom left (the whole corner), top right, top left centre. Similar to Flapjack's and Xaeon's on page 3.

A03 November 2005 Mexico unit

(No, the dot in there is not a dead pixel, just my camera showing its limits with manual focus.)

Should I bitch and take the risk of another unit, or just suck it up? I played a number of videos and some games, and only the really dark ones annoys me a bit. For the others, though sometimes noticeable, I don't really pay attention once my mind is into the action.

 

[Flapjack]

Damn, that's pretty bad. About as bad as my second one.

Still waiting for the Texas rep to call me back. They've taken over my case, and he said he'd get back to me within 72 hours.

Here is what mine looked. Although it's not as bright since I took a bit more exposure, but you can clearly see 3 areas of bleeding: bottom left (the whole corner), top right, top left centre. Similar to Flapjack's and Xaeon's on page 3.

A03 November 2005 Mexico unit
(No, the dot in there is not a dead pixel, just my camera showing its limits with manual focus.)

Should I bitch and take the risk of another unit, or just suck it up? I played a number of videos and some games, and only the really dark ones annoys me a bit. For the others, though sometimes noticeable, I don't really pay attention once my mind is into the action.

 

[Flying Fox]

Damn, that's pretty bad. About as bad as my second one.

Well, maybe or maybe not. As I said I over exposed the picture a little bit, so in reality you have to turn down the "brightness" a couple notches. BTW, I already turned the brightness setting down to 0. It's probably closer to your first one.

It's definitely not true black (didn't expect it to be), but everything else (colour, contrast, etc.) is much better than all my other LCDs and even my dying 17" CRT. So I am not sure if I should call them up. If it is true that there are production problems in those A0? batches from Mexico... Again, is the backlight issue a good enough reason to call for a replacement?

 

[asianguy80]

If you received your lcd within the 21 days or whatever their satisfactin policy is then yes backlight bleeding would be probably cause for a replacement BUT be aware that if it has no real effect during whatever you normally use the lcd for then it should be no problem. These monitor's aren't perfect every lcd has some back light bleeding even my old samsung 712n had some bleeding but you can't tell unless you use DPB and use the black test and sit in your room with all the blinds/curtains pulled and the lights off and it's 9pm at night or something. Mine has slight bleeding if you look back a few posts only in the lower left corner and in the upper center to the right a bit but it doesn't affect me in any way when I'm playing any games that are dark and I can only see it when i use DPB to check for dead pixels and use the black test.

 

[Xaeon]

Probably the biggest issue I have with the backlight bleeding stems from other Dell branded monitors NOT having the same problem. My brother's 17" cheapo Dell that came with his system has no bleeding that can be seen, but this (supposedly) higher quality monitor has significant and noticable problems.

 

[Flying Fox]

If you received your lcd within the 21 days or whatever their satisfactin policy is then yes backlight bleeding would be probably cause for a replacement BUT be aware that if it has no real effect during whatever you normally use the lcd for then it should be no problem.

So did you get yours exchanged? Normal use it is also fine for me. But I use the Logon screen saver and that really shows.

And yeah, this is my 2nd day of having the monitor, so I kinda want to call them up.

 

[Avengeance]

Did i get lucky? mine has no backlight problems and has one dead pixel at the very bottom left

 

[Flying Fox]

Did i get lucky? mine has no backlight problems and has one dead pixel at the very bottom left

What is the revision, date, and place of assembly?

 

[Flapjack]

Well, after my third monitor had pretty serious bleeding, they "escalated" my case to a rep in Texas. This guy could care less about my problem. I hear people complain about the Indian reps all the time, but at least they tried to help...

Basically, he told me he'd "research" the issue and call me back within 72 hours. When I didn't hear from him, I called and left a message. He called back within an hour and said he talked to the engineering team. They looked at the pictures and said it was within specs.

Ridiculous. I spent the first 10 years of my Air Force career working with engineers before I moved into Communications. A simple picture would never be enough to make that determination. I am so upset with Dell and their slip down the easy path. Like someone said earlier, it wouldn't be so bad if all of Dell's monitors had this problem in the past. But to me, Dell monitors have always been the epitome of perfection. I've bought quite a few, and never had a dead pixel or this bleeding problem. Hell, my 19" Norcent looks better than this monitor, and I only paid $169 (AR) for it!

I guess it's time to move on.... sorry Dell. Call me when you fix your shit.

 

[Avengeance]

What is the revision, date, and place of assembly?

November 2005 - Mexico. 2 other people I know have the same one and they dont have a problem with it. My other friend had one dead pixel too.

 

[neubspeed]

I also got one of these Mexican ones from November yesterday. No dead pixels but miniscule bleeding at the top right and bottom left. I can live with it but I'm debating whether to setup an RMA or not.

 

[Flying Fox]

My "replacement" unit arrived this morning and it was not good news out of the box, A02 November 2005. I have the A03 already! A quick test showed that it is the same, if not worse than my current one. Definitely one of them is going back. Since I got the original on Dec 28, do you think I should try it one more time? I think I am already getting used to the backlight, not that I have a lot of black screens in the apps I use everyday anyway. So I definitely can live with it.

Anyone knows if there is a A04 out already?

 

[tim-x]

my replacement 2005fpw just got here this morning too. It's the same model as my original: a03 nov. 2005 mexico. The replacement has about the same amount of backlight bleeding with a dead pixel or two. So.... i'm debating whether to ship it back and get a 3rd or just keep the 1st one. I might try and get a discount by just keeping the original? Anyone heard of anyone being successful doing that?

 

[Xaeon]

I'm not too sure tim-x, but I also got my replacement a while back and as you said, it has the same problems all over again. They are both going back. Shame on Dell, they shouldn't settle for this kind of crap happening.

 

[Flying Fox]

Never hurt to try, of course the chance of that happening is slim. May be you can charm the ref by your lovely voice?

I think I am going to test the 2 I have further tonight (with no light coming outside the window+drapes), then I will call and give it another try. I am keeping one anyway since I do need it to replace my dying 17" CRT.