Got my new iMac today! Stuck pixel already [Archive]

jinxen

Mar 6, 2009, 03:46 PM

Hi!

I got my new 24 iMac today. It's the new released model. After working with it some time now today i found a stuck pixel on the screen. I think it is stuck because it is bright red and not black. Is there anyway to fix this? I have tried jScreenFix without any luck. Is there anything apple will do with this? Spending this amount of money on a new computer it should not come with a stuck pixel...

lewchenko

Mar 6, 2009, 03:47 PM

Tried massaging the screen area etc ?

Ive never had one so am probably no help at all.

Moriarty

Mar 6, 2009, 03:49 PM

HLdan

Mar 6, 2009, 03:53 PM

He can't massage it unless he removes the glass plate and there's no guarantees that it will become unstuck. Apple's policy is 5 or more stuck or dead pixels or if a single pixel is dead set in the middle of the screen. I would take it back to the store and see if they will exchange it first.

Moriarty

Mar 6, 2009, 03:53 PM

Tried massaging the screen area etc ?

Bit difficult when there's glass over the LCD :p

HLdan

Mar 6, 2009, 03:57 PM

Bit difficult when there's glass over the LCD :p

You didn't read post #4 before you posted.

lewchenko

Mar 6, 2009, 03:58 PM

Bit difficult when there's glass over the LCD :p

Indeed... Didnt think of that LOL!

jinxen

Mar 6, 2009, 04:01 PM

I will call Apple tomorrow and hear what they have to say. I think this is a scandal that this can happen when you spend so much money (it's about 300$ more in Sweden) on a new computer and it arrives with a stuck pixel. If they don't fix it i will go back to pc because this is really bad.

Moriarty

Mar 6, 2009, 04:12 PM

You didn't read post #4 before you posted.

No I read it after I posted, because number 4 didn't exist when I began to write #5. They were posted at the same minute.

SECOND time that has happened to me today.

patricem

Mar 6, 2009, 04:16 PM

jinxen

Mar 6, 2009, 04:20 PM

wakerider017

Mar 6, 2009, 04:26 PM

Funny how people are so quick to jump ship.

This is not a problem with Apple. It is inherent to LCD displays.

But I also would not be happy with a dead/stuck pixel. Go return it. If Apple gives you are hard time about exchanging it, then maybe that would be a good reason to get annoyed and jump ship.

maxap

Mar 6, 2009, 04:29 PM

It is the new 24 base model. With the nvidia 9400m gfx card. I don't know which apple to contact though. Bought it online, but i have got 2 apple stores in the city. Which is my best option? I hope they will do something and i don't know what to do if they don't. This is just awful, really awful...

Just don't worry too much... I had the similar problem with my iMac that I had bough last year. I had a dead pixel in the middle of the screen. In Europe we can return Apple hardware within 14days and get the money back. So without further ado I decided to do so. Otherwise I would have returned my iMac, have to wait for a replacement to arrive and would have been stuck with that iMac because the 14days-policy wouldn't be applicable anymore.
You can always return your iMac and get your money back. Then you will be able to order a new one again... I did the same: returned the iMac and got after one week a Macbook Pro...
Just don't worry... Apple is well-known for their great service... You're in good hands... :)

jinxen

Mar 6, 2009, 04:36 PM

It's not because of apple i am saying that i would change back to PC. I have been a frequent mac user for many years now and have hade a macbook, macbook pro, iMac 2007, and now a new iMac. I had a error with my first macbook and they really gave me a hard time but at last the changed the display for me. But it took me so much time to make it happen. I am a student and putting up this kind of money that i did really stings. I say if they give me a hard time. I will return it and buy something else that is not Apple. I'm sick of things arriving faulty.

wakerider017

Mar 6, 2009, 05:17 PM

jinxen

Mar 7, 2009, 05:17 AM

I called Apple today and i got great service from the guy i talked to. Since it is completely new and in the 14 day barrier i will get a replacement unit. The department that handle replacements was not open och saturdays so i must call back on monday, but i got the case number etc to speed things up on monday. And he said that i will get a new one. Good news for me, great service from Apple.

Cheers.

redgaz26

Mar 7, 2009, 05:57 AM

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 2_2_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/525.18.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.1.1 Mobile/5H11 Safari/525.20)

That's good news. Their customer service is brilliant. Ok the iMacs are pretty expensive but at least when theirs a problem they help out big time. I'm getting my new 24" in two weeks. Can't wait!!!!

sk8mash

Mar 7, 2009, 07:47 AM

OMGZ a stuck pixel!

synagence

Mar 7, 2009, 08:09 AM

Don't think i've ever bought an LCD panel that didn't have a stuck pixel or two ... depends if they're stuck or dead... Stuck ones can (and very often do) fix themselves over time ... dead ones are usually irreparable

Most panel makers have a 5 or more policy before they consider it "faulty"

But to make statements about quitting apple and returning to PC because of a single pixel fault on a display is a little amusing

Chupa Chupa

Mar 7, 2009, 08:18 AM

If you bought it at a retail Apple Store just exchange it. My experience has been they are very helpful when you get defective merch.

If you bought it at the Apple online store it's a little dicier. I haven't found them to be as helpful or knowledgeable as the retail managers. Typically the first line techs that answer the phone have one goal in mind... assume you are a dumbass, blame the problem on you, and get you off the phone ASAP. Nonetheless, I'd call, be sweet, and see what they'll do. Elevate to a 2nd tier or higher tech, as needed. Don't let them push you off the phone.

If you bought from a 3rd party store, its going to depend on that store's policy. Amazon and Microcenter are pretty good about exchanging defective merch. Most of the other guys will tell you to go ask Apple. Apple of course will tell you that 1 dead pixel is "within spec."

jinxen

Mar 7, 2009, 09:49 AM

For what i can see it is only 1 stuck pixel, i don't think its dead because it is bright red. A dead pixel should be black, am i right? I have tried to fix it with JscreenFix. But that did not fix it. I could live with the pixel, but it is the principle of the whole thing when you buy something new it should not be faulty out of the box. Period. But the bright red pixel is almost in the middle of the screen and very disturbing when you work with graphics as i do. You can't miss the pixel even on a big screen as the 24.

I bought it at the online Apple store. The guy i talked to on the phone said that i would get a new one due to the 14 day barrier. If they would have said no, i would have just turned it back anyway so they don't really loose anything if they give me a new one. If they havent given me a new one i would have returned it to buy something different instead. I think it is a smart and good move by Apple to do like this.

oldalbion

Mar 7, 2009, 01:08 PM

I bought my iMac 24" 3.06 8800GS from the Apple On-line store in December 2008. All went well on install without me noticing any pixel issues until I installed COD4 and on the introduction black screen sighted 2 great big white dead pixels towards the bottom of the screen.:eek::eek: I logged out of COD 4 and went through each of the desktop backgrounds scanning the screen intently with the various colour schemes.

I found I had 5 pixels in total out. Including a bright red one (the worst of the lot as it was on eye line level).

I tried the download programs of flashing lights which you can place over the dud pixels and read up for literally hours on the internet about pixels whilst I grew depressed and angry.

When I rang Apple two days later well within 14 days of arrival (after a restless sleep weekend) I was polite and calm and explained the situation. Apple noted it all down and agreed without issue to replace my iMac. (all this done via UPS, and TNT efficiently, I just had to pack it up and label it up).

I was obviously very worried when the new one arrived but all seemed well although I must confess there is a tiny tiny black spec of a dud pixel top left area which I located some few weeks later but I am happy enough that it is so small and out of viewing area that I can genuinely live without bothering about it because it is so easy to miss.

So, in conclusion, my experience was that Apple were very good about the exchange. I think it helps to purchase from an Apple Store or from their on-line store because you could be at the mercy of other outlets.

As an aside, I have NEVER met anyone who has "massaged a pixel back into life" and would never recommend removing glass screens and poking pens at pixels unless someone can say otherwise.

Sincere good luck.

synagence

Mar 7, 2009, 03:25 PM

I could live with the pixel, but it is the principle of the whole thing when you buy something new it should not be faulty out of the box. Period.

The problem is that if you READ the fine print on MOST monitor manufactures supplied documentation (yeah i know ... none of us do that) a lot do actually say about pixel damage

The question is what do monitor manufactures consider faulty and what you consider faulty are NOT the same thing.... it sucks, yep... agree... but in many cases unless you have around 5 pixels (seems to be an agreed magic number) you might not get it resolved simply

spacepower7

Mar 7, 2009, 06:38 PM

You should download the pixelmurder.mov

It cycles thru many different colors. I have seen many stuck pixels fixed thru this method. Some took 5 minutes, some an hour, some did work at all. It's worth a try. Either download the mov file and play in the affected area or even run full screen. You can even just run it in a browser in the affected area.

http://itasor.com/pixelmurder.mov

You can run it in a loop in Quicktime

gerz85

Mar 7, 2009, 09:17 PM

reading this thread makes me nervous. my imac has an expected delivery date of march 10th. has this issue been somewhat prevalent in the new or old imacs?

the worrying has begun.

jinxen

Mar 10, 2009, 01:42 PM

Apple handled this extremly good. My iMac got picked up today and the new one is prepared to be sent to me with and expected arrivel 11-13 march, hopefully dead pixel free ;) Just wanted to let you guys know that in the end it all went well. Maybe it will be a good weekend after all :)

Lexlee

Mar 10, 2009, 01:57 PM

reading this thread makes me nervous. my imac has an expected delivery date of march 10th. has this issue been somewhat prevalent in the new or old imacs?

the worrying has begun.

Dead or stuck pixels can happen with any LCD screen. The PSP (PlayStation Portable) I bought a few years ago had tons of dead pixels and they refused to take mine back.

jinxen

Mar 10, 2009, 03:35 PM

Dead or stuck pixels can happen with any LCD screen. The PSP (PlayStation Portable) I bought a few years ago had tons of dead pixels and they refused to take mine back.

Same here, bought a psp slim and lite and on startup i saw i had dead pixels. They refused to change that in to. But Apple handled my case really good.

synagence

Mar 10, 2009, 03:59 PM

The PSP's were horrendous for dead pixels (given its similar res to iPhone) but very few places were willing to take them back for exchange...

jinxen

Mar 11, 2009, 10:49 AM

The PSP's were horrendous for dead pixels (given its similar res to iPhone) but very few places were willing to take them back for exchange...

Ok, good to know :) Sold my old one for two days ago. Still it is bad not to fix it when it is delivered with bad sreen. Seems like bad marketing to me :)

L0s7man

Mar 11, 2009, 11:00 AM

If you buy stuff online, it's the law that you can return it (in most countries). Don't like it -> return it. Problem solved.

I had a stuck pixel wih a strange circular shade around it on my MBP. I ran jFix*whateveritiscalled for loong time and then somehow it disappoeared. The circular shade stayed for a while longer and then disappered too. If it's not dead, you have good chance of it disappearing once you start using the computer a lot.

I think it's like with headphones. You can have crappy bass initially, but after a while it gets better.

Lexlee

Mar 11, 2009, 11:34 AM

My iMac should be delivered this Friday. Hopefully with no dead or stuck pixels. But Apple service has been great up to this point so I think in the end I'll get the computer I want.

Its not a perfect computer I am after just great service. Also my iMac was shipped out of Union City, CA and not China. That was a shocker.

jjahshik32

Mar 11, 2009, 12:25 PM

I feel your pain, I hate stuck/dead pixels. I'd just take it in for an exchange. Only stuck pixels I'd accept is like from a 40"+ hdtv and if its just 1 stuck somewhere near the corner since I'd be way back and cant even see it.

But for a computer where you'll be just a 1 feet away from the screen, I'd just get an exchange until I get what I want.

jinxen

Mar 11, 2009, 01:13 PM

I think you should not accept any dead pixels at all when you buy something new. But thats just my opinion :)

My replacement iMac is scheduled for this friday. Already miss my desktop computer :)

jjahshik32

Mar 11, 2009, 02:13 PM

I do have 3 stuck pixels like everyone else mentioned on my original first batch japanese psp. But luckily it has the much better and more expensive sharp screen thats more vivid than the us or the uk released ones so I dont mind + I got over it years ago.

Anyway I'm just so glad that I dont have any stuck pixels on my 24" LED ACD. I would have returned for an exchanged immediately if it had. :)

LED gorgeous backlighting, H-IPS panel, vivid eye candy screen and no dead/stuck pixels is a joy!! Hope you find your salvation! :D

Eanair

Mar 12, 2009, 07:58 PM

Well, I have to join the dead pixel club with the new iMacs.

It's black, so I think definitely dead as opposed to stuck, and I've already tried the flashing video fix.

I think I'll try to talk to an Apple representative and see what they have to say about it. I'm still within my return period - maybe I'll get someone nice. :)

superflea

Mar 13, 2009, 03:40 AM

I must admit to worrying about these kind of things too. I was super-worried about my 1st gen PSP...no probs, also worried about my 50" plasma....perfect, bought my iPod touch online and worried.....all good.

Hope my good fortune continues with my new iMac on the way.. :confused:

think I'll just stop worrying, I don't need any more wrinkles! :)

jinxen

Mar 13, 2009, 03:33 PM

Got the new iMac today, pixel dead free :D

Eanair

Mar 13, 2009, 04:41 PM

Congrats!!!!

I hope it stays that way! :)

Sun Baked

Mar 13, 2009, 04:43 PM

I have an iMac with the LCD, and have yet to bother using a Dead Pixel Finder to look for stuck or dead pixels ... and thus have never noticed if I have one.

If it is in a bad spot and bothers you a lot, complain.

Lexlee

Mar 13, 2009, 05:05 PM

My new iMac is dead/stuck pixel free. Looks gorgeous and runs like a beast. With hulu playing full screen, handbrake ripping, itunes movie playing, and every other app in the dock running I couldn't make it stutter.

It did take me 15 min to understand that I had to drag my downloaded firefox program into the application folder to get it to run. But I'm just new to macs so I sure it will take a while.

jinxen

Mar 14, 2009, 04:56 AM

It is a really big upgrade for me since i hade the old white iMac before. And new for me is the 24 screen and i love it. It is a really good looking piece of machinery :D

mac.andy

Mar 14, 2009, 05:58 AM

What panels are Apple using for iMac's?
I know it's Apple's job to fix these problems, but I'm sitting in front of a iMac G4 (at least 6 years old) and the Widescreen LCD still has 0 pixel problems..

queshy

Mar 14, 2009, 05:59 PM

It is a really big upgrade for me since i hade the old white iMac before. And new for me is the 24 screen and i love it. It is a really good looking piece of machinery :D

Great! Glad it's all sorted out.

Way too many threads about pixel problems on this forum. There shouldn't be so many. Apple is probably using the cheapest displays around...haha.

jinxen

Mar 15, 2009, 05:53 AM

Funny thing. Now a got a dead pixel on the new one to... Now im getting really pissed of the ****** display quality.

Should i exchange this one to?

jinxen

Mar 15, 2009, 11:27 AM

Ok, im not entirely convinced that this is a dead pixel. The thing is when you push a little on the screen you can see that the "pixel" follows the pushing. That should not happen if it is a pixel since the there is a glass i front of the real screen? I think it is somekind of dirt maybe? Really hard do say, or what i should do. The thing that makes me uncertain is the pushing part. If a just apply a little pressure on the screen or glass you can see the dot follow the glass... What do you guys think?

emacnewbie

Mar 15, 2009, 09:11 PM

What is the "easiest" way to check for dead or stuck pixels on an iMac at an Apple Store? Are they apparent on start up or do they show up best when running a particular application? I plan on shopping for a 24" this week but with the closest store a five hour round trip I'd like to head home with a good screen. Thanks

adammelancon

Mar 15, 2009, 10:17 PM

I have one stuck red pixel in the center bottom left. Quite annoying now that I notice it.
Refurb 2.8Ghz 24" purchased a week and a half ago from the apple website.

EDIT: Correction, just found another... a stuck green one in the center top right. Argh...

jinxen

Mar 16, 2009, 07:58 AM

Just to keep you up to date. My second iMac will also be replaced du to the glass having a scratch on the inside. They rather exchanged the whole computer then sending me a new glass to exchange. The computer it self is alright this time. Hopefully the new computer will be ok.

So far i have gotten a new computer every week. This should be kund of a dream, but in my case i have to return the computer every time, which sucks :) I have to give a thumbs up for Apple's service which has been great.

Sebby

Mar 16, 2009, 08:03 AM

What panels are Apple using for iMac's?
I know it's Apple's job to fix these problems, but I'm sitting in front of a iMac G4 (at least 6 years old) and the Widescreen LCD still has 0 pixel problems..

The 20" uses a TN panel and the 24" uses an S-IPS (much better than the TN).

I believe that the G5 iMac actually used a superior panel in some respects.

Hellhammer

Mar 16, 2009, 04:19 PM

Just discovered one of those in my screen too. Will call Apple tomorrow and see what they can do.

Eanair

Mar 16, 2009, 11:21 PM

Another one with a dead pixel?

Geez.

Apple!!

My new one so far is going fine in regards to rebellious pixels. And I shall knock on all sorts of wood and cross all sorts of finger to hope it stays that way!!!

Glad to hear though that Apple is allowing you to go on a 3rd. :) Good luck!

Hellhammer

Mar 17, 2009, 01:05 PM

I just called to Apple and they'll send me a replacement. Customer service did great, only minus was that there was no finnish speaking lady or man. It sucks but if you pay almost 2000€ for computer, you don't want it to have stuck or dead pixels.

adamlbiscuit

Mar 17, 2009, 01:14 PM

I have 2 stuck red pixels on my new iMac but they aren't that visible from normal viewing distance, its only if i have my face right up to the screen i can see them.

hkip37

Mar 17, 2009, 02:54 PM

got my 24"er last week.. no dead/stuck pixels, but the screen is a little darker at the edges like a lot of the 24"ers, and the screen is like super duper bright.. my early 08 20" imac had 2 dead pixels, never did bother calling apple though. the 20" also had better brightness settings in my opinion. i could dim the screen more on the 20"

Gloops

Mar 18, 2009, 10:32 AM

I just received my new 3.06 iMac (2008 model, but it's new, not a referb.) and it has one dead pixel top right, in the menu bar.

I checked over the screen pretty thoroughly, didn't notice anything, ran software update and it appeared after the restart. Are any more likely to 'die'?

Is it worth trying for an exchange? Bearing in mind that I bought it from a reseller and they don't have many of these 2008 models left. How common are dead pixels on the iMac displays? I don't want to change it and get one with 3 in the centre of the screen. It doesn't really bother me, but after you shell out a pile of cash you don't want a dud on principle.

faffoo

Mar 18, 2009, 05:44 PM

All i can say to anyone with the dead pixel situation is...............GOOD LUCK!

Read my story here. (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=670362)

I reccomend you phone an Apple Retail Store though!

Good Luck

Antihero825

Mar 21, 2009, 04:28 PM

Do not settle for one dead pixel. This happened to me a couple of days ago. I took my Imac with its one dead pixel back to the apple store. My advice is not to come storming in and demanding a new one. I walked in and said these exact words " hi, i bought an Imac here at this store 5 days ago and noticed a dead pixel can you swap it out for another one? The genius plugs it in, looks at it, walks in the back, and walks out with a brand new imac in hand. She handed it to me and told me she was sorry for the trouble! Easy as 123. Just make sure you are within your 14 day return limit. They will waive the restocking fee because after all they are not restocking it, because your computer is now labeled "defective".

SecondDealer

Mar 23, 2009, 11:43 PM

reading this thread makes me nervous. my imac has an expected delivery date of march 10th. has this issue been somewhat prevalent in the new or old imacs?

the worrying has begun.

No point in stressing out about it, just be happy that you have a new mac on the way and enjoy the feelings of unpacking it and using it for the first time once it arrives. Enjoy! Don't worry, be Happy!

DesignerOnMac

Mar 24, 2009, 12:01 AM

Always amazed about 1 dead or stuck pixel. If you have a 24" screen, in most cases, your window will cover over the dead os stuck pixel.

All manufacturers have a dead pixel limit for returns, (I worked retail so I know). People always brought back monitors with dead or stuck pixels, and the manufacturers would NOT take them back if it was less than what was specified in the 'small print'. The store was stuck with the monitors and we are not talking about cheap ones either.

braeburn22

Mar 26, 2009, 07:19 AM

I've had my brand new iMac 2.93 GHz 24" less than 48 hours, and there is one dead pixel. It may be a stuck pixel as it can show red (with a white background), but otherwise is black. I'm not happy, especially when paying close to AU$3000 for a new computer. Furthermore, I am curious as to why Apple does not have a proper policy on their website? Also, why is it you get a different service attitude from Apple if you bought from a reseller and not directly from Apple?