Hi,

I often come across LCD monitors with what can best
be described as "smudges" in the displayed image.
This appears to be a defect in the display matrix
itself.

Can I assume this is a result of bad handling
practices (i.e., folks pressing on the display
surface or letting it rest on other objects)?

I also assume there is no real way to remedy this sort
of problem (short of replacing the screen itself).

(sigh) A shame to have nice big displays with
these dark/"smudged" areas...

[N.B. I notice some manufacturers now use a "hard coat"
finish -- a thicker piece of lexan? -- over the display
area. Presumably, this isn't done universally as it
adds to cost (?)]

In article ,
D Yuniskis wrote:

Hi,

I often come across LCD monitors with what can best
be described as "smudges" in the displayed image.
This appears to be a defect in the display matrix
itself.

Can I assume this is a result of bad handling
practices (i.e., folks pressing on the display
surface or letting it rest on other objects)?

I also assume there is no real way to remedy this sort
of problem (short of replacing the screen itself).

It could well be dirt or oil, fingerprint smudges and the like, in which
case careful cleaning might help alleviate the problem. Many LCD
screens are devilishly hard to clean; the best results I've had have
been using a microfiber cloth, such as is used for camera lenses, and
condensation from breath. It takes some work, but they can be removed.
(It could also be crud left behind from less effective attempts at
cleaning, say using windex and paper towels.)

It's also reasonably possible that they are areas that are minutely
scratched up from handling or attempts at cleaning improperly, in which
case cleaning of course won't entirely solve the problem.

I would guess that internal damage caused by bad handling would usually
have far more obvious and disastrous effects. Not being willing to
sacrifice my laptop display to science, however, I can't say for certain.

It might also be manufacturing defects in the panel, or uneven backlight
illumination (due to CCFL tube aging, poor design, crud in the midst of
the backlight, or whatever).

--
Andrew Erickson

"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot
lose." -- Jim Elliot

I've also seen the spots referred to as bruises, which I suspect are a
result of contusions from rough handling/abuse.

I would be surprised to hear that there are any methods that make them
disappear.

I haven't had to use any LCD monitors with marked screens, but I've seen how
annoying a scratched CRT can be.

--
Cheers,
WB
..............


"D Yuniskis" wrote in message
...
Hi,

I often come across LCD monitors with what can best
be described as "smudges" in the displayed image.
This appears to be a defect in the display matrix
itself.

Can I assume this is a result of bad handling
practices (i.e., folks pressing on the display
surface or letting it rest on other objects)?

I also assume there is no real way to remedy this sort
of problem (short of replacing the screen itself).

(sigh) A shame to have nice big displays with
these dark/"smudged" areas...

[N.B. I notice some manufacturers now use a "hard coat"
finish -- a thicker piece of lexan? -- over the display
area. Presumably, this isn't done universally as it
adds to cost (?)]

In message ,
Andrew Erickson writes
I would guess that internal damage caused by bad handling would usually
have far more obvious and disastrous effects. Not being willing to
sacrifice my laptop display to science, however, I can't say for certain.
I pulled an old 15" monitor out of storage last year, it had been stored
with 'stuff' leaning against the panel and it now has two or three
'smudges' on the display. Not catastrophic but enough to be annoying if
used for any length of time so I would think the OP is right in assuming
physical damage.

It might also be manufacturing defects in the panel, or uneven backlight
illumination (due to CCFL tube aging, poor design, crud in the midst of
the backlight, or whatever).


--
Clint Sharp