iMac dead pixel on my 24" 2.4

[W202 028]

I had recently purchased the new Aluminum imac, had it for 2 weeks but only used it 4-5 times, found a red pixel right at the center of the screen, its relatively annoying, I am assuming that Applecare will not touch it unless there are more dead pixels present, but since i've only had it for a month, would Apple actually do something about it?

Sorry for the newbie question, i am just disappointed that for the past 3 LCD screens that I've purchased which varied in different sizes, I've never had one single dead pixel.

Any help will be great, thanks!

 

[Eidorian]

You've got a lot of stuck pixels to go.

 

[psonice]

Sometimes you can fix stuck pixels by playing a video with flashing colours - I got rid of one on one of my screen that way before, it does actually work. Search google for "stuck pixel video" or something. You have to leave it on for a few hours for it to work - think I left mine playing it over night.

 

[ColdSniper007]

You can do what you need to do by being persistant!

I have had many problems with my computers that I've bought at apple and I can usually get them resolved by explaining and being persistant. I have four Macs and the latest one I just bought (20" Aluminum iMac 2.4 GHz) has one dead pixel or a dust particle on the screen. I called Apple and they said without a doubht they would exchange it once. If however I get another one that is the same or worse they will do nothing about it. So it is a risk and it is usually hard for me to decide, but I will have to make a choice and will let you know what happens. Bottom line is that you sure can get a new one if you WANT one bad enough. The question is for us all with these problems: what can we live with and what can we not?

 

[ClassicBean]

I just noticed two dead pixels on my 3-week old 20" iMac.

I ran the applet found here: http://www.jscreenfix.com/

It seemed to diminish how harsh the pixels were, but they are still there. However, they are more faint which leads my to believe that if I were able to massage the screen, it would go away (sadly you can't do that on the new iMacs without removing the glass).

I have decided to live with it. It's only noticable if I get close to the screen. My unit works flawlessly otherwise and I don't want to risk exchanging it for one that has some sort of issue.

However, if more dead pixels pop up within my year, back to Apple it shall go.

 

[ColdSniper007]

Confused and Disturbed by these electronic troubles.

I don't know what to do...I'm stuck like my pixel. What should I do people? My machine runs flawlessly also and my wife thinks that if I go back I am risking getting a worse one and then I would be pissed! The main issue for me is I have NEVER in my life settled for anything less than perfection in my electronics. So to do so know seems impossible for me. I feel like I will be ok with the flaw for a short while and then in a few weeks (when I cannot return it anymore) it will drive me nuts! I hate this!!

 

[HLdan]

I never understand out of all the millions of pixels on an LCD screen why is it generally only 1 stuck pixel? You would think it would be dozens of bad pixels if there were going to be any.
Well at any rate to the OP you may qualify for either a screen replacement or even a courtesy iMac replacement. The general rule is if you have a dead or stuck pixel smack dab in the middle of the screen the company will cover it.

 

[BlakTornado]

I just noticed two dead pixels on my 3-week old 20" iMac.

I ran the applet found here: http://www.jscreenfix.com/

It seemed to diminish how harsh the pixels were, but they are still there. However, they are more faint which leads my to believe that if I were able to massage the screen, it would go away (sadly you can't do that on the new iMacs without removing the glass).

I have decided to live with it. It's only noticable if I get close to the screen. My unit works flawlessly otherwise and I don't want to risk exchanging it for one that has some sort of issue.

However, if more dead pixels pop up within my year, back to Apple it shall go.

Same here... except my 20" iMac is only a week old... =\

But it's no biggy. It's only really noticeable when it's in front of black. I'm just going to "live with it" too. Before I bought it, I knew full well that my iMac might not have been perfect since it was new tech, and it isn't. But it's a price I'm willing to pay as I finally have a Mac. I don't mind about a teensy stuck pixel as long as I have a machine that does what it's meant to do. One pixel the size of a speck of dust won't make much difference to my life... It may be a bit annoying, but that's all. No serious problem with the computer.

 

[mzd]

if it is red it is a stuck pixel. have you tried the flashing colors fix or that applet yet?
over the weekend i was running the iTunes visualizer full screen for an extended period of time. then, later in the evening, i found what looked to be 4 dead pixels (all black) in the upper left corner all within the diameter of say a dime. i searched and read apple's policy of five dead pixels and was trying to decide what to do. i put the comp to sleep that night and in the morning they were gone. huh. haven't shown up since then.

 

[abargri]

3 out of 3 machines FAULTY

All -

I foolishly upgraded my machine from the previous 24" iMac to the new aluminum version.

I took the new machine home, plugged it in and I was up and away. As I do a lot of Photography perfection is most important.
I also use Excel, and it was through here that I noticed two imperfections in the panel in the top middle section of the panel.
I also noticed one pixel dead in the Dock at the bottom of the panel.

I took the machine back to the service centre and they offered to replace the machine. Once the new one arrived (2 weeks later), I went in and noticed that even the display unit in store suffered from the same problem.

The service centre told me if I took the new machine, I would have to take the matter up with Apple if there were any problems. I said that I would not be taking a faulty screen home from this store, and to refund my money.
We took the NEW screen out and wall-ah... it too had 3 dead/bright pixels or screen imperfections.

I settled with them returning my old machine and a few hours at home reinstalling all my previous software.

The verdict:
I think that there may be problems with the panels and dead-pixels, but I also think there could be imperfections in the glass which covers the front of the screen. I love the new iMac but don't settle for dead pixels. They are annoying and we shouldn't be putting up with them.
Wait until demand drops and Apple can source quality panels from quality suppliers!

 

[togermano]

Bring it back and make them open up the imac in the store to see if there is any dead ones thats what i did i brought mine back 4x until i got a new one. They said if you return this and its worse we can't give you a knew one. I said okay the new one had a dead pixel I tried returning it and talked to the manager and hes like just give him a new one and open it up and make sure there are no more dead ones

 

[HLdan]

All -

I foolishly upgraded my machine from the previous 24" iMac to the new aluminum version.

I took the new machine home, plugged it in and I was up and away. As I do a lot of Photography perfection is most important.


We took the NEW screen out and wall-ah... it too had 3 dead/bright pixels or screen imperfections.

I settled with them returning my old machine and a few hours at home reinstalling all my previous software.

The verdict:
I think that there may be problems with the panels and dead-pixels, but I also think there could be imperfections in the glass which covers the front of the screen. I love the new iMac but don't settle for dead pixels. They are annoying and we shouldn't be putting up with them.
Wait until demand drops and Apple can source quality panels from quality suppliers!

I haven't had any bad pixels on my new 24". Question, why did you upgrade from the older 24" to the new one? Was there something wrong with the older one. You didn't keep it very long.

 

[flyinmac]

I don't know what to do...I'm stuck like my pixel. What should I do people? My machine runs flawlessly also and my wife thinks that if I go back I am risking getting a worse one and then I would be pissed! The main issue for me is I have NEVER in my life settled for anything less than perfection in my electronics. So to do so know seems impossible for me. I feel like I will be ok with the flaw for a short while and then in a few weeks (when I cannot return it anymore) it will drive me nuts! I hate this!!

Well, if it were me, I'd just take it back for a full refund (of course they may stick you with the restocking fee).

You see, the way I look at it, if I pay full retail new price, then I expect full retail new condition (no defects).

If they will stick you with a new machine with dead pixels if you exchange, then I'd just return it.

Dead / stuck pixels have been a frequent complaint among iMac buyers (more in the 20-inch and up category than in the 17-inch and under models) since at least the original iMac G5. I didn't monitor the old G4 discussions.

Now, I've been really fortunate. I've had 3 iMac screens (two iMacs, but one of the panels suffered a burn-in problem that they replaced it for). And, I've never had a stuck pixel or dead one myself.

I've also never seen it on any of the iBooks I've had or on any of my other LCD screens that I've owned.

So, I consider myself fortunate there.

But, you should know that it is a common complaint that many others have had. And, you should make sure that you feel you've gotten your money's worth.

 

[EricBrian]

I have a dead pixel on my iPhone.

 

[risc]

TC - I had a single stuck red pixel in the same location as you on my 24". I rang the store and told them, they replaced mine.

 

[abargri]

I haven't had any bad pixels on my new 24". Question, why did you upgrade from the older 24" to the new one? Was there something wrong with the older one. You didn't keep it very long.

There was nothing wrong with the 'old one'. I'm using it as we speak. But I am one that upgrades my computers each year. This is my first Apple. It will be my last if the next series continues have flaws.

I will wait until they can get it right before electing to purchase.

Things are very different here in Australia

 

[ColdSniper007]

Well, if it were me, I'd just take it back for a full refund (of course they may stick you with the restocking fee).

You see, the way I look at it, if I pay full retail new price, then I expect full retail new condition (no defects).

If they will stick you with a new machine with dead pixels if you exchange, then I'd just return it.

Dead / stuck pixels have been a frequent complaint among iMac buyers (more in the 20-inch and up category than in the 17-inch and under models) since at least the original iMac G5. I didn't monitor the old G4 discussions.

Now, I've been really fortunate. I've had 3 iMac screens (two iMacs, but one of the panels suffered a burn-in problem that they replaced it for). And, I've never had a stuck pixel or dead one myself.

I've also never seen it on any of the iBooks I've had or on any of my other LCD screens that I've owned.

So, I consider myself fortunate there.

But, you should know that it is a common complaint that many others have had. And, you should make sure that you feel you've gotten your money's worth.

I decided to go back and get a new one once I noticed that the four black dots in the upper left hand corner of my screen were going in and out. I would change the desktop wallpaper and then they would go away temp., but then they would come back...that on top of the dead pixel and too many minor flaws I saw on a black screen made me decide I should bring it back.

So I called the Apple store and spoke with a manager about it. He said that I would have to wait to have the Genius Bar look at it. I told him of course...blah, blah, blah. I waited until he wasn't there (the next day) and went in the store and told them I spoke with the head of the store and that he said he would exchange it for me this once. They didn't even argue with that and I didn't have to wait for any "Genius" to look at my computer that obviously had some defects. I complained to the manager for my having to come three times and wanted him to compensate me in some way. He and I agreed that he would upgrade me to the 24" iMac. So I was happy on the way home, get there and open up the new iMac, and the thing was thinking about doing everything I asked it to do...open up a Finder window, scrolling a Finder window, opening up an Application, etc. The computer was running dog slow and I wasn't asking to do anything demanding!

So I had to call Apple again and tell them what was happening and they said that is not normal and that I should bring it back in and they will swap it out. So unhappilly I went back to Apple AGAIN and had them swap out the computer. I am typing you this message on it now and it seems to be great.

However, through all that (four computers) there has not been one (including this one) that doesn't have a flaw in the screen. This makes me wonder why does this new design have so many flaws. I have two other iMacs (Intel, White) and they were fine the first time around. I also have a MacBook Pro that is perfect. I am thinking that it is new and they are working out the problems. I had dead pixels on my iPhone when I bought it the day it came out and they replaced it for one that was perfect.

It truely stinks to have to go through the constant back and forth, install and uninstall of software, but for me it is worth it to get something that will last me for years and years and not have some damn pixel in the middle of my screen that I seeth to see everytime. It is not worth it to some or many to go through that hassle, but that is everyone's personnal feeling on it. I for one am happy that I have one now that is bigger, better, and no horrible flaws noticable to me. However, I'm tired of the whole process.

 

[ColdSniper007]

Same here... except my 20" iMac is only a week old... =\

But it's no biggy. It's only really noticeable when it's in front of black. I'm just going to "live with it" too. Before I bought it, I knew full well that my iMac might not have been perfect since it was new tech, and it isn't. But it's a price I'm willing to pay as I finally have a Mac. I don't mind about a teensy stuck pixel as long as I have a machine that does what it's meant to do. One pixel the size of a speck of dust won't make much difference to my life... It may be a bit annoying, but that's all. No serious problem with the computer.

In my experience it is best to go and get a new one if it has dead pixels for it has one or more then it might form more. I have never settled for a flaw in my computers. I know what some of you think; that I should just except the flaw for nothing is perfect. I however cannot justify spending all that money for something I am not happy with. Even if they wouldn't swap it out for free I would still pay the re-stocking fee to get what I personnally want. This is up to the individual though. I cannot stand looking at a flaw, especially one that is in front of me every single time I turn on the computer. I want to use my machine without anything staring back at me that drives me crazy. However, if you are ok with it, and that goes for everyone else, then why go through the hassle of returning multiple times if it doesn't bother you that much.

 

[ClassicBean]

I just noticed two dead pixels on my 3-week old 20" iMac.

I ran the applet found here: http://www.jscreenfix.com/

It seemed to diminish how harsh the pixels were, but they are still there. However, they are more faint which leads my to believe that if I were able to massage the screen, it would go away (sadly you can't do that on the new iMacs without removing the glass).

I have decided to live with it. It's only noticable if I get close to the screen. My unit works flawlessly otherwise and I don't want to risk exchanging it for one that has some sort of issue.

However, if more dead pixels pop up within my year, back to Apple it shall go.

UPDATE

These pixels were bothering me so I returned the computer to the Apple Store. The genius said "When did you buy this?"

I said, "About three weeks ago."

All I wanted was for them to go to the back, remove the screen and try to massage the pixel for me.

He said, "We're too busy right now. Can I just give you a new one?"

After all I've read about Apple's minimum dead pixel policy, I was surprised.

The key? I want in politely. I didn't make any demands. I just wanted them to try to fix it.

So far my new machine seems dead-pixel free. Who knows though what the future holds.

 

[macpro2000]

Bad pixels...they are the only reason why I buy directly from the AppleStore, and also why I always have them take out the computer so I can inspect it for bad pixels before I leave the store. Then there are no issues.

 

[ClassicBean]

So I need some quick help. I just mentioned how I returned my iMac and got a new one for the pixel issue.

Now I am noticing a buzz coming from the new iMac. I didn't notice it on the previous iMac I had but maybe I am just looking for things now.

It's more like a faint hum. This is a 20 incher.

If I touch the back of the screen towards the top, I can feel a slight vibration. Can someone confirm whether this is normal? I don't remember it on my old unit but maybe I just didn't pay attention.

 

[ColdSniper007]

So I need some quick help. I just mentioned how I returned my iMac and got a new one for the pixel issue.

Now I am noticing a buzz coming from the new iMac. I didn't notice it on the previous iMac I had but maybe I am just looking for things now.

It's more like a faint hum. This is a 20 incher.

If I touch the back of the screen towards the top, I can feel a slight vibration. Can someone confirm whether this is normal? I don't remember it on my old unit but maybe I just didn't pay attention.

Seeing as I or no one else can be there to see for ourselves what the actual sound is or the vibration you feel, but to me it sounds like if it is really quiet and only a slight vibration that the fan is working. My 24" iMac Aluminum is humming itself cause the fan is running and the processor is working. I have had it on for 5 and 1/2 hours now and that is normal. I wouldn't worry too much about it, but I do warn you that no one is going to be able to tell you what you are hearing or feeling...so if it concerns you then I recomment bringing it in and getting it checked out. If it doesn't, then enjoy your fabulous computer!! Hoped this helped.

 

[sapphire]

my 2 cents

Hi all, I bought a new 24" iMac last week, and it arrived on Friday. It worked flawlessly for the first day, but on Saturday, I noticed a pixel at the top of the screen about in the middle that was stuck magenta.

A lot of things I was reading said that because the pixel was a color, it was a "stuck" pixel. This would possibly be fixable by one of those programs that flashes different colors really fast.

I ran LCDtest which is a really simple program which just turns the entire screen a color: white, red, green, blue and black each time you press the right arrow. When the entire screen was supposed to be green, there was a black spot, but the spot did not appear in the red or blue screens. This tells me that it is not in fact a stuck pixel, but a dead pixel! And pixels don't come back from the dead.

After talking to AppleCare on the phone, they pretty much told me that flaws in LCDs are common, and had to be expected, and they would not replace the computer. I was not convinced. I made an appointment with a Mac Genius at my "local" apple store (a two hour drive from my house) and went there this morning. I told him the problem, he took out my computer and turned it on, and then promptly gave me a new one!

So I am a happy camper again!

I bought a firewire hard drive the same size as my iMac's, and backed up my iMac's hard drive to it before I took it to the store. When I got my replacement back home, I was able to copy everything back, so I didn't even have to reinstall my programs! I did this from the terminal (meaning I can make this script run every night to always have a copy of my hard drive at hand) with the "asr" command:

sudo asr restore --noprompt --erase --source /dev/disk0s2 --target /dev/disk1s3

Things to take away:

• I bought my iMac online, but since I did not customize it at all, I was able to exchange it in the store.
• Apple Care over the phone does NOT have the last word in the matter. They plainly told me they could not exchange my computer.
• The pixel was not dead when I took the computer out of the box. It showed up the second day. This means verifying that there are no dead pixels while you are in the store is not necessarily the end of the story.

 

[FatSweatyBlldog]

Pixel issues are NOT unique to Apple

Dead/stuck pixels can be an issue on ANY LCD panel...not just the one's that Apple uses. There are actually only a handful of companies that make LCD panels, that are re-branded/used by Dell, Apple, Acer etc.

My advice, don't go looking for issues. If you see a dead pixel, get it replaced. Otherwise, enjoy your computer