My Dell 2005FPW just died! :(

[culex]

I got in on the 2005FPW deal past week and I got it on the 20th. Just this morning, while I was reading up on some websites, the screen goes blank. Turned the monitor off, turned it back on, still nothing. The system is running fine, the music was still playing and it shut off properly (i can hear the shutdown sound) when i pressed the power button on my case.

Rebooting didn't help. I can hear the system POST, but the screen is completely black. The indicator lights are green when system is powered, yellow when system is not powered (as it should be.) The only problem is that there is no display at all. No error messages, no OSD when I press the menu buttons, nothing. I bring my heavy arse CRT back into my room and it displays with no problem.

I bring the 2005FPW to my roomies' computers, all the same result, all 3 other computers. Just black screen, no image at all.

So I'm on hold with Dell support. I'm pissed. It was perfect. No backlight problem, not a single dead pixel, but it just DIES. What gives?

Anybody know what could have caused this? My monitor was a Revision A01 from May 2005.

The only thing that I can think of that might have done this might be the fact that I switch between a full game screen and desktop frequently throughout the day. But the resolution and refresh rate is the same. I play WoW on 1680x1050 and I usually ALT+TAB out of the game frequently in order to talk on AIM and stuff. (Other than that, I cant think of anything else.)

 

[JBT]

Sounds just like the backlight died. THe resolution changing would have had nothing to do with it. Monitors are suppose to do be able to do that.

Anyways sounds like RMA time.

 

[sharkeeper]

Inverter fuse open.

 

[ExpertNovice]

Originally posted by: culex I play WoW on 1680x1050 and I usually ALT+TAB out of the game frequently in order to talk on AIM and stuff. (Other than that, I cant think of anything else.)

Can't help you with the problem but can sympathize. I am using the same monitor and also play WoW.

Try Windowed mode in Video options. SLIGHTLY less screen space, but you can move the screen higher and widen to get most of the header back. However, the screen size can be reduced to check websites, talk on AIM, etc.

Be glad it went out now. We got refurbished models and they only come with a 90 day warranty, no documentation, no nothing. Typical Dell.

Good luck with the Help desk. The woman from Panama was great, having spent six years in the U.S. Two of the three from India were quite difficult to understand.

 

[w00t]

Maybe this is a sighn from God saying use your CRT.

 

[culex]

Yeah, they're sending another one this week. It just had to go out during Memorial weekend. I'm actually back on my old aging/dying CRT... I can't get used to this even when I've used this exact CRT (Sony CPD-G400) for about 6 years. It's got rainbow lines goin accross all over now... (which was why the 'almighty' 2005FPW was supposed to replace)

My only worry is that they'll send one with dead pixels/backlight problems. I was so happy the one I had was nearly perfect. I think I should milk my 21 day guarantee thingy for all it's worth. I'd hate to get stuck with a refurb.

As for my ALT+TAB issue, it's not an issue at all. I was just wondering if that contributed to this disaster (which seems like it didn't.)

Thanks anyway guys. Goodbye 2005FPW unit I barely knew...

 

[Ike0069]

Unfortunately, I'm guessing you'll get a refurb as a replacement. That is pretty much standard practice for RMA replacements.

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: Ike0069
Unfortunately, I'm guessing you'll get a refurb as a replacement. That is pretty much standard practice for RMA replacements.

That's why I'd want to buy something like that locally and get a guarantee/warranty through them. If something goes wrong, I bring it back to them, and they hand me a new one off the shelf.

 

[thegimp03]

That's why I'd want to buy something like that locally and get a guarantee/warranty through them. If something goes wrong, I bring it back to them, and they hand me a new one off the shelf.

Agreed. I might pay a few bucks more at a store but at least I know I can replace it easily within 15-20 days.

 

[ELopes580]

That is terrible. I just got my 2005FPW on May 11th and it is working fine.

 

[ponyo]

Good thing is Dell LCDs have 3 year warranty if purchased separately from desktop. They even pay for shipping.

 

[Huma]

My friend's 2005fpw died 1.5 months after he bought it. Had a replacement the next day that was perfect. no dead pixels, no backlight problems.

 

[Miramonti]

Originally posted by: Jeff7181

Originally posted by: Ike0069
Unfortunately, I'm guessing you'll get a refurb as a replacement. That is pretty much standard practice for RMA replacements.

That's why I'd want to buy something like that locally and get a guarantee/warranty through them. If something goes wrong, I bring it back to them, and they hand me a new one off the shelf.

In a perfect world I would agree, but if you walk into a local retailer for a monitor like this you'll be paying an extra $400 from what people purchased these for recently. I understand paying a little more for a local purchase, but not double.