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butter71 · Apr 19, 2003, 01:14 PM

i've got a 17" pbook with one bad (red) pixel.

more disturbing, though, is that there is a darker "smudge" near the right hand side of the screen. at first, i thought it was something on the screen, but it wouldn't wipe off. it's only visible with lighter colored backgrounds.

could it be a problem with the backlighting in that area? or maybe a smudge on the inside?

has anyone else had this problem? is it fixable under warranty? (it definitely covers a greater area than the 5-7 pixel minimum.)

thanks.

AssassyN · Apr 19, 2003, 01:19 PM

Well the single dead pixel, sadly, wouldn't be replaced/repaired under warrenty...BUT, you seem to have an LCD defect much more severe than just a dead pixel. I'll bet that "smudge" you're seeing is a faulty backlight that will certainly be covered under warrenty. Give AppleCare and a call and see what they say...they should give your an RMA to return it so it'll be repaired/replaced. Best of luck w/ it!

all2ofme · Apr 19, 2003, 04:16 PM

My first TiSD had a similar-sounding backlight problem. It was by no means obvious, but it irritated me from the start and wasn't something I was willing to accept. I took it back and they gave me a new one (albeit a bit grudgingly). Sooo glad I did, too.

The sooner you do it the better, I think. You might get it replaced because of the smudge, but I doubt that Apple will be too sympathetic about the stuck pixel.

butter71 · Apr 19, 2003, 05:40 PM

Originally posted by all2ofme:
I doubt that Apple will be too sympathetic about the stuck pixel.

yeah, i know about the bad pixel minimum. that's why i pointed out that the "smudge" was bigger and encompassed a lot more than 5-7.

i brought it into my apple store. i tried to talk them into swapping for a new one but they couldn't.

so.. i guess i'm a waiter again. 3-5 business days (average) until i get it back. on the plus side, maybe i'll get a perfect screen this time.

nobitacu · Apr 19, 2003, 08:39 PM

I don't have those problems at all with my LCD...

Ming

AssassyN · Apr 19, 2003, 10:45 PM

Originally posted by butter71:
yeah, i know about the bad pixel minimum. that's why i pointed out that the "smudge" was bigger and encompassed a lot more than 5-7.

i brought it into my apple store. i tried to talk them into swapping for a new one but they couldn't.

so.. i guess i'm a waiter again. 3-5 business days (average) until i get it back. on the plus side, maybe i'll get a perfect screen this time.

Ah man, best of luck getting it back quickly and I sure hope the problem's resolved when it returns! Let us know!

butter71 · Apr 21, 2003, 01:32 PM

Originally posted by AssassyN:
Ah man, best of luck getting it back quickly and I sure hope the problem's resolved when it returns! Let us know!

after reading another thread (about a faulty inverter board), i decided that i don't want a fixed powerbook. i want a new one!

like someone on that thread said, "fixing a problem that was there from the beginning is akin to buying a refurbished one."

so i called adc. they're going to hook me up with a new one. they will try to get the apple store to just swap me for a new one. i hope so.. otherwise it's a 3-5 week wait! argh!

chu-ka-pi · Apr 21, 2003, 01:44 PM

I'm sorry to hear that Butter. I hope you'll
be able to get a _new_ one quickly. On a more
positive note, did some of you noticed that
when using your powerbook in front of
an intense source of light (for example in
front of a window on a sunny day) you could
see the apple right in the middle of the
screen?

When I first saw this It totally freaked me out!
I thought I had a problem with my display...
However I quicly noticed that the greenish
area had a perfect apple shape... I was
relieved! :-) But still... working with an apple
in the middle of your screen is disturbing!!

Sorry Butter if this is not directly related to
your post. I wish you all the best for you and
your PB.

all2ofme · Apr 21, 2003, 02:42 PM

They said they "couldn't" to me as well, but a bit of insistence (I think they were worried I'd pitch a tent in there until they gave in) paid off in the end. I really think that sticking to up for yourself is the right way towards being treated properly. Being overly accepting of what they say they can and can't do does you no favours.

My main line of argument was:

"$2799 for a NEW computer with a bad screen and you want me to WAIT for it to be fixed?!"

Being reasonable the whole time helps too - at no time did I raise my voice or resort to anything other than firmly stating my case.

Good luck with getting a machine you're satisfied with, and at the least a machine which they fix should come with an extension of warranty which *at least* covers the time you were without it.

Originally posted by butter71:
yeah, i know about the bad pixel minimum. that's why i pointed out that the "smudge" was bigger and encompassed a lot more than 5-7.

i brought it into my apple store. i tried to talk them into swapping for a new one but they couldn't.

so.. i guess i'm a waiter again. 3-5 business days (average) until i get it back. on the plus side, maybe i'll get a perfect screen this time.