Have I knackered my LCD monitor?

[maddarlo]

Last night, I managed to spill red wine down the front of my LCD monitor - on the screen itself.

Now there's a big pink streak across the bottom half of the screen and the colours below it look brighter than those above it.

Is there any cleaner I can get - or is it a lost cause?

Also, if it is, this is under a three-year warranty. Will that cover it for accidents like this?

Andy

 

[maddarlo]

Someone reply! Pleeeease!

 

[kiwiguy]

The damage will not have been done by the wine on the surface, but by any that has seeped into the gap at the bottom and is now interfering with the electronics.

It should be IMMEDIATELY powered down, disassembled and cleaned, dried and retried.

A warranty is usually for faulty goods, I simply cannot see how you spilling wine makes the goods faulty in manufacture.

Unless the warranty also covered accidental damage, but that would be uncommon for a manufacturers warranty (not uncommon for an add-on warranty perhaps)

House contents insurance would often cover it though.

 

[Couriant]

No coverage since you caused the problem and not a malfunction itself. The LCD panel is the most expensive part of a machine (including on notebooks). Manufacturers are always trying to give you the least possible warranty. Why do you think they say you need at least 6 dead pixels before it's considered under warranty?

 

[DoubleHelix]

kiwiguy, I see that you're in New Zealand. Does your home owner's insurance allow for small claims for things such as computer parts? In the US, too many small claims can be cause for a company to drop insurance coverage completely leaving the homeowner to purchase very expensive high-risk insurance. Here, claims should only be made for catastrophic occurrences.

 

[maddarlo]

Thanks for your replies. Is it not safe to use then? I've had it on a few hours now with no problems. Also, is it simple to clean? Is it something I could do myself - or would it need doing by a pro?

 

[maddarlo]

Also, if I can clean it myself, what should use? Warm, soapy water or similar?

 

[Couriant]

kiwiguy, I see that you're in New Zealand. Does your home owner's insurance allow for small claims for things such as computer parts? In the US, too many small claims can be cause for a company to drop insurance coverage completely leaving the homeowner to purchase very expensive high-risk insurance. Here, claims should only be made for catastrophic occurrences.

In england that's not the case. You could get it replaced through your insurance. Though your premium might be higher.

 

[kiwiguy]

In NZ we could easily get it replaced on house contents insurance, the excess is about NZ$100 (US$70).

 

[kiwiguy]

Thanks for your replies. Is it not safe to use then? I've had it on a few hours now with no problems. Also, is it simple to clean? Is it something I could do myself - or would it need doing by a pro?

Not a matter of being "safe to use", more one of "using it causes the electronics to be permanently damaged"

But its plainly too late for that, after a few hours!

You need to really know what you are doing regarding cleaning it or its toast!

 

[Couriant]

Now there's a big pink streak across the bottom half of the screen and the colours below it look brighter than those above it.

unless the red wine went horizontal on the screen, it means something did get some of the wine and now it's beyond repair without actually diving into it. No LCD manufacturer will warranty it or probably even won't waste any time on it.