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Dell 2405 and other LCDs - Preserving Quality

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Yojo

Member
Joined
Jul 9, 2005
Location
Viera, Florida
I recently picked up a Dell 2405 FPW. Since the LCD cost a decent amount of money, I'm trying to everything I can to pamper the living daylights out of it so that it will last forever in mint condition.

So far I have taken the following measures to preserve it's condition:
1. Screen Saver kicks on after 4 minutes of idle time (to prevent dead pixels)
2. If PC is idle for 30 minutes, LCD goes into power saving mode
3. I turn off the LCD before I go to sleep (or when I know I'm not using for PC for extended period of time)
4. When I turn off LCD at night, I put static free foam cover sheet over the monitor (this is probably unnecessary).

My questions:
In regards to LCDs, specifically the Dell 2405, I have the following questions:
1. Are the measures I'm taking above going to actually help preserve the quality of the monitor?
2. What additional measures can I take to help keep the monitor in mint condition?
3. How do I clean it?
 
This post is more or less to let you know people are reading this... I am kind of new to the LCD world so what I say may not be completely accurate.


Thoughts on measures to preserve it's condition:
  1. I don't think that having the screen running for a long time will cause dead pixels... I may be wrong, but I've never heard of it, so I'd assume it is at least a very uncommon thing to happen. On the other hand, you would be helping the back lighting last longer if the screen was completely turned off (usually lasts 50,000 hrs of use).
  2. Power saving mode will help you save power (like it implies ;))
  3. Turning off the screen shouldn't make any difference than letting the power saving mode turn it off for you, I would think the screen would last just as long.
  4. Probably unnecessary like you said, but at the very least the foam would protect it from things that go bump in the night that might fall on it.

Regards to the questions:
  1. To an extent you are probably helping the monitor, but I personally think that they are a little too much, but it isn't hurting anything.
  2. I would just say that you could be making sure it's clean (I'm sure you are). I can't really think of anything that you are missing, unless you travel with the monitor, then a carrying case could be nice. (would need to make your own probably)
  3. With cleaning it I would use a soft cloth, and I think you can get some stuff to specifically use on LCDs that helps protect it, but I'm not sure what it is or where to find it.

Having said that, I have the 20.1" little brother of yours, and I feel confidant that it is in good condition, and I don't take nearly as many precautions as you. So I would say that you are doing a very good job, and I hope that it lasts as long as you are thinking.

Take care,
Burdman

ps - If you go to the widescreen gaming forum (linked in the sticky in this section) I'm sure that they will be more of an expert than I.
 
Do you guys know what the consensus is on LCD's in general? Is it better to have the computer put it on standby or is it better to be turned off completely? I never use the off button, but as Yojo put it, its an expensive investment and I want it lasting as long as possible.

I also use my monitor (same Dell 2405fpw) for TV viewing, probably about 2 hours a night. I hope that doesn't ruin the thing..
 
The only thing you really need to worry about with a LCD panel is the backlight fading, which takes several years to before it is problematic. 3-4 years from now a 2405FPW will be valued at a mere fraction of what it is currently. I wouldn't worry about it. Just use a damp lint free soft cotton cloth and you'll be fine as far as cleaning. All those lcd products are snake oil.

If anything, you're shortening the life using a screensaver. Just turn off the monitor after 5 minutes. It takes about 3-4 secs to power back on.
 
i got screensaver kicking in in 5 min. and power off in 20. won't hurt to be extra careful with an expencive piece like this :p
as for cleaning, i was asking around and ppl recommend a soft cloth with windex sprinkled on for hard duty cleaning. i was weary of the idea but had to clean it resently and it works with no visible side effects... not sure if there's any coating on the screen; don't imagine lcds have an anti-glare coating, what else is there?
 
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