Hardware Information

Do You Have Dead Pixels?


Take a good look at your notebook computer screen. Do you find some tiny dark spots? You could have dead pixels. One of the most expensive parts of your notebook computer is the LCD screen.

LCD's are highly sensitive and any amount of pressure, touching or handling may damage it. As such, dead pixels aren't an uncommon thing. Apparently, some degree of dead pixels is to be expected. Still if you have a lot of them, it would be classified as a defective screen. So, how do you determine if you have dead pixels?

Before we go there, make sure it's not just dust. Clean your screen first. The best way to do that is to use a soft cotton cloth - no rags or paper towel as they can scratch your screen easily. Moisten the cloth with plain old water and wipe the screen gently.

Side note: I've also tried maintaining my screen dust free with a Swiffer Duster. These are inexpensive, very soft and they pick up the dirt not just re-distribute it. It has worked well. Of course, this will not take care of smudges or dried on dirt. So you'll still have to use the cotton cloth and water combo sometimes.

Once you've cleaned it, you can run a quick check with a free software called Dead Pixel Buddy. It's basically a very simple file that will rotate your screen through all the basic colors. This way you can tell if a pixel on your screen is not displaying properly. One tip, you might want to get a help of a friend. Two sets of eyes are better than one especially since pixels tend to be miniscule.

You can also do a low tech way by changing your desktop's background color to black, white, red, green blue and yellow, checking the screen each time you change the colors. This is of course not fool proof especially if you have tons of icons on your desktop but it's a good 'backup' check if you don't have Internet access to download the file or whatever the case may be.

If you do find dead pixels, don't panic yet, as mentioned earlier, a small amount of dead pixels could be inevitable but if you have a lot of them and your notebook computer is still under warranty, this may be a good time to call up the manufacturer and ask for assistance.

Related Resources:
5 Days To A Healthier Notebook Computer
http://www.notebook-computer-infocenter.com/5days-to-a-healthier-notebook.html

Dead Pixel Buddy
http://www.laptopshowcase.co.uk/downloads.php?id=1

Lynn Chan helps new owners learn proper notebook care and use. Take care of your investment, find out how at http://www.notebook-computer-infocenter.com


MORE RESOURCES:

Geekzone

SanDisk's new USB drive secures data with 2x hardware encryption
CNET News, CA - 11 hours ago
Their newest Ultra Backup USB flash drive uses both password protection and 256-bit AES hardware encryption to reduce holes in vulnerability across the ...
SanDisk Launches World’s First Button Backup USB Flash Drive WELT ONLINE
SanDisk Keeps Its Thumb on Backup Tech PC Magazine
SanDisk's faster netbook flash Register
TG Daily - Geek.com
all 50 news articles


German digital hardware sales record
Hollywood Reporter, United States - 6 hours ago
Sales of flat-screen televisions, set-top decoders, game consoles and other digital hardware jumped 4.3% to a record 12.3 billion euros ($17 billion) last ...


Times Online

The amazing vanishing Mac desktop machine
Macworld, CA - 23 hours ago
When I heard “the Mac,” the “cool new hardware” synapses in my brain took over all normal, rational thought, and my low expectations went right out the ...
Video: Steve Jobs Weight Loss Due to Hormone Imbalance AssociatedPress
No surprises at Apple's final Macworld guardian.co.uk
News from the Mac world New Zealand Herald
Ars Technica - Computerworld
all 2,619 news articles


Hardware, specialty stores strive to keep salt stocked
The Reporter, WI - 19 hours ago
Braun Hardware, W2118 Fourth Street Road, is also hoping to replenish its shelves later this week, said co-owner Ingrid Braun. She said she's been selling ...
Ice Melters Sell Out WBAY
all 2 news articles


Wii, PS3 See Hardware Sales Gains In Japan
Kotaku.com, NY - 9 hours ago
By Michael McWhertor , 1:40 PM on Wed Jan 7 2009, 833 views The holidays were very good to Nintendo in Japan, with hardware sales big enough to translate to ...


Ars Technica

OQO launches world's smallest Vista PC with OLED screen
Ars Technica, MA - 4 hours ago
There have been other OQO models since that first Model 01, at least one based on a VIA CPU, but hardware technology didn't really catch up with OQO's ...


Nude Art...in a Hardware Store?
KESQ, CA - Jan 6, 2009
The thing that's unusual about the display is that it's inside a hardware store. Steve Maloney is displaying the unclothed mannequins along with paintings ...
Artist Steve Maloney is showing his pop art pieces at True Value The Desert Sun
all 2 news articles


Genesco Upgrades POS Hardware with Fujitsu’s TeamPoS 3000 XL 2 System
Business Wire (press release), CA - 14 hours ago
“In addition, the TeamPoS 3000 XL 2 is one of the top POS hardware solutions on the market, offering superior speed, energy efficiency and ruggedness. ...


DailyTech

New Mac Mini Hardware to Be Supported by Revolutionary SeeFile Web ...
Reuters - Jan 5, 2009
SeeFile solves this problem by providing pre-installed bundles of hardware and software that can be installed as easily as any networked computer. ...
Apple has plans for iMac, Mac Mini, Mac Pro in 2009 PC Perspectives
Macworld.ars: Company may have spilled Mac mini beans Ars Technica
Mac mini Getting Dual Display Support - Rumor MacMod
Macworld - Computerworld
all 53 news articles


Trojans grab some new hardware
TheHerald, NC - 13 hours ago
... championship trophy, she probably didn't realize she was only thre years old the last time South's girls basketball team claimed any kind of hardware. ...

Hardware - Google News

home | index |site map
© 2006