Vostro 1400-very poor display

I recently purchased a Vostro 1400 from the Dell Outlet. My impression of
the machine is quite favorable with one dramatic exception: The display,
which is a WXGA+ truelife, is shockingly bad. The display's brightness and
contrast are weak to the point of being unacceptable. I have tweaked every
setting I can think of to no avail.

I also have a Inspiron 1720, also purchased from the outlet and that unit
has a gorgeous screen.

I have been a loyal Dell customer and never had a hardware issue till now. I
figure I saved about $300 (about 40% of purchase price of the same
configuration built new).

I wondered if any posters have any similar experiences or thoughts on this
issue before I contact Dell.

"Buta-san 505" <whatever@wherever.com> wrote in message
news:482ef882$0$15171$607ed4bc@cv.net...
>I recently purchased a Vostro 1400 from the Dell Outlet. My impression of
>the machine is quite favorable with one dramatic exception: The display,
>which is a WXGA+ truelife, is shockingly bad. The display's brightness and
>contrast are weak to the point of being unacceptable. I have tweaked every
>setting I can think of to no avail.
>
> I also have a Inspiron 1720, also purchased from the outlet and that unit
> has a gorgeous screen.
>
> I have been a loyal Dell customer and never had a hardware issue till now.
> I figure I saved about $300 (about 40% of purchase price of the same
> configuration built new).
>
> I wondered if any posters have any similar experiences or thoughts on this
> issue before I contact Dell.
>


Just worked on a Vostro 1400 yesterday with the same display
(software-related). Display is/was gorgeous.

If you're within your 14 or 21 day return period, I'd contact Dell ASAP and
request an exchange.

Since you also have an i1720, you plainly have a source for comparison.

I'm making the assumption that no video drivers/software changes have been
made on your part, and you've adjusted screen brightness manual with no
satisfactory results.

Exchange it if you're within your return warranty period.

Good luck,

Stewart

Thank you, Stewart. I just received the machine on Friday and it's going
back Monday if there is no improvement. Since it's an outlet laptop
purchased as a fixed configuration, I would imagine it would be difficult to
get exactly the same specs and am curious as to what my options will be.

Geoff

"S.Lewis" <Gossamer@interesting.com> wrote in message
news:T2DXj.35381$7a.22166@bignews1.bellsouth.net.. .
>
> "Buta-san 505" <whatever@wherever.com> wrote in message
> news:482ef882$0$15171$607ed4bc@cv.net...
>>I recently purchased a Vostro 1400 from the Dell Outlet. My impression of
>>the machine is quite favorable with one dramatic exception: The display,
>>which is a WXGA+ truelife, is shockingly bad. The display's brightness and
>>contrast are weak to the point of being unacceptable. I have tweaked every
>>setting I can think of to no avail.
>>
>> I also have a Inspiron 1720, also purchased from the outlet and that unit
>> has a gorgeous screen.
>>
>> I have been a loyal Dell customer and never had a hardware issue till
>> now. I figure I saved about $300 (about 40% of purchase price of the same
>> configuration built new).
>>
>> I wondered if any posters have any similar experiences or thoughts on
>> this issue before I contact Dell.
>>
>
>
> Just worked on a Vostro 1400 yesterday with the same display
> (software-related). Display is/was gorgeous.
>
> If you're within your 14 or 21 day return period, I'd contact Dell ASAP
> and request an exchange.
>
> Since you also have an i1720, you plainly have a source for comparison.
>
> I'm making the assumption that no video drivers/software changes have been
> made on your part, and you've adjusted screen brightness manual with no
> satisfactory results.
>
> Exchange it if you're within your return warranty period.
>
> Good luck,
>
> Stewart
>

Buta-san 505 wrote:
>
> Thank you, Stewart. I just received the machine on Friday and it's going
> back Monday if there is no improvement. Since it's an outlet laptop
> purchased as a fixed configuration, I would imagine it would be difficult to
> get exactly the same specs and am curious as to what my options will be.

They'll swap it with that or a better system if they can't match it exactly.

You may not get the same O/S, in which case ask for the CDs and they're free,
but you do have to install it yourself, and will have lost a week or so.
--
rhhardin@mindspring.com

On the internet, nobody knows you're a jerk.

Ron Hardin wrote:
>
> Buta-san 505 wrote:
> >
> > Thank you, Stewart. I just received the machine on Friday and it's going
> > back Monday if there is no improvement. Since it's an outlet laptop
> > purchased as a fixed configuration, I would imagine it would be difficult to
> > get exactly the same specs and am curious as to what my options will be.
>
> They'll swap it with that or a better system if they can't match it exactly.
>
> You may not get the same O/S, in which case ask for the CDs and they're free,
> but you do have to install it yourself, and will have lost a week or so.

Incidentally, you send the system back in the box that the replacement system
comes in, which will have a return label.
--
rhhardin@mindspring.com

On the internet, nobody knows you're a jerk.

Ron- Thanks to you as well.


"Ron Hardin" <rhhardin@mindspring.com> wrote in message
news:482F1C3C.70E9@mindspring.com...
> Ron Hardin wrote:
>>
>> Buta-san 505 wrote:
>> >
>> > Thank you, Stewart. I just received the machine on Friday and it's
>> > going
>> > back Monday if there is no improvement. Since it's an outlet laptop
>> > purchased as a fixed configuration, I would imagine it would be
>> > difficult to
>> > get exactly the same specs and am curious as to what my options will
>> > be.
>>
>> They'll swap it with that or a better system if they can't match it
>> exactly.
>>
>> You may not get the same O/S, in which case ask for the CDs and they're
>> free,
>> but you do have to install it yourself, and will have lost a week or so.
>
> Incidentally, you send the system back in the box that the replacement
> system
> comes in, which will have a return label.
> --
> rhhardin@mindspring.com
>
> On the internet, nobody knows you're a jerk.

"Buta-san 505" <whatever@wherever.com> wrote in message
news:482f1227$0$25032$607ed4bc@cv.net...
> Thank you, Stewart. I just received the machine on Friday and it's going
> back Monday if there is no improvement. Since it's an outlet laptop
> purchased as a fixed configuration, I would imagine it would be difficult
> to get exactly the same specs and am curious as to what my options will
> be.
>
> Geoff
>


Geoff -

Check the specs on this system before you call. The machine shouldn't be
extremely hard to match up.

Typically - as Ron has stated - you'll get the equivalent or a slight
upgrade for your trouble if it cannot be matched.


Stew

Buta-san 505 wrote:
> I recently purchased a Vostro 1400 from the Dell Outlet. My impression of
> the machine is quite favorable with one dramatic exception: The display,
> which is a WXGA+ truelife, is shockingly bad. The display's brightness and
> contrast are weak to the point of being unacceptable. I have tweaked every
> setting I can think of to no avail.
>
> I also have a Inspiron 1720, also purchased from the outlet and that unit
> has a gorgeous screen.
>
> I have been a loyal Dell customer and never had a hardware issue till now. I
> figure I saved about $300 (about 40% of purchase price of the same
> configuration built new).
>
> I wondered if any posters have any similar experiences or thoughts on this
> issue before I contact Dell.
>
>

To add to what you've already been told, I bought a 1400 a couple of
months ago and the display is beautiful. So, it would seem that you got
a lemon.

Bob

The Dell tech rep told me they do not exchange the system. I have to send
the machine back to Dell and they will presumably "fix" the display. The
rep told me the process should take not much more than a week, which I find
hard to believe. I am starting to get a bit unhappy.

Geoff


"S.Lewis" <Gossamer@interesting.com> wrote in message
news:1TFXj.10671$hv2.9763@bignews5.bellsouth.net.. .
>
> "Buta-san 505" <whatever@wherever.com> wrote in message
> news:482f1227$0$25032$607ed4bc@cv.net...
>> Thank you, Stewart. I just received the machine on Friday and it's going
>> back Monday if there is no improvement. Since it's an outlet laptop
>> purchased as a fixed configuration, I would imagine it would be difficult
>> to get exactly the same specs and am curious as to what my options will
>> be.
>>
>> Geoff
>>
>
>
> Geoff -
>
> Check the specs on this system before you call. The machine shouldn't be
> extremely hard to match up.
>
> Typically - as Ron has stated - you'll get the equivalent or a slight
> upgrade for your trouble if it cannot be matched.
>
>
> Stew
>

"Buta-san 505" <whatever@wherever.com> wrote in message
news:4831a43d$0$25039$607ed4bc@cv.net...
> The Dell tech rep told me they do not exchange the system. I have to send
> the machine back to Dell and they will presumably "fix" the display. The
> rep told me the process should take not much more than a week, which I
> find hard to believe. I am starting to get a bit unhappy.
>
> Geoff


The tech is incorrect. Ask to speak to a supervisor if needed.

1) You might call customer service and tell them that you'd like to return
the system for a full refund. This is something they absolutely do NOT want
to happen.

2) Then suggest to the customer service rep. that you will "settle" for a
comparable system exchange ASAP.


Don't be deterred. What I and others here are suggesting is not an unusual
request. The tech is apparently reading a script and attempting to drink the
koolaid rather than save a customer.

Stick by your guns.


Stew