Today I will tell you about one very small, but very important program that will save the lives of millions of your nerve cells after purchasing a monitor or laptop.
The name of this program is IsMyLcdOK and it will help you find everything "defective pixels on any LCD screen. What is a dead pixel?...
The official definition of the expression “dead pixels” you can find it on Wikipedia, but the site site differs from others in that here I explain complex things to you in simple language, in pictures and sometimes even with humor. For example, this is how this article describes the concept of disk defragmentation using the example of a simple school ruler.
So, what are “broken” pixels according to the website…
Imagine that any LCD monitor consists of a huge number of tiny light bulbs that can (and should) change their color depending on what signal is received from the video processor. Thanks to this, everything that you see on the laptop screen or on the LCD monitor of any computer is formed.
But, as in real (not digital) life, sometimes, some light bulbs (pixels) try to stand out from the crowd of their relatives and do not want to change color...
Naturally, the neighboring pixels do not like this behavior and they beat this show-off...
This is how the expression “broken” pixel appeared.
The description above is, of course, funny, but all the fun will disappear when you come home from the store with a brand new laptop or an expensive, wide-screen HD monitor, turn on the purchase and find a dot that does not change its color.
Believe me, this is a very sad feeling. My son and I had a chance to try it out six months ago, after buying a laptop.
The most annoying thing is, firstly, that you may not notice the “dead” pixel right away. A pixel can “get stuck” on any color (but most often it is white) and “shoot” in your eyes, even after a week.
A detected “broken” pixel will remain a thorn for the rest of the product’s life. It is very, very rare that you can get rid of this problem with the help of special programs.
Secondly, if you find it at home, and not in a store, when purchasing, in 99.9% of cases you WILL NOT EXCHANGE the product.
This is such a common defect that all manufacturers have hedged their bets and introduced an acceptable number of “dead” pixels, at which the product is not covered by the warranty and is not considered defective at all.
For some reason they “forgot” to write this in their advertising brochures.
Let's summarize - you MUST check laptops and monitors for “broken” pixels IN THE STORE BEFORE BUYING!
IsMyLcdOK - “broken” pixels will not be hidden
This is where we return to the IsMyLcdOK program. It is (portable), which means that it does not need to be installed anywhere. You copy it onto a flash drive and go to the store, where you ask to check the product using this program.
If the consultant refuses you, feel free to send him to the butterfly farm and go to another store, where first of all they think about the buyer, and not about how to push all the accumulated “not defective” to the mugs.
Have you found such a store? Launch the IsMyLcdOK program from the flash drive by clicking on the shortcut...
The following will be displayed on the entire screen...
The check consists of completely flooding the entire monitor with various colored backgrounds and visually identifying the rebel pixel. If it is there, you cannot help but notice it!
To do this, press the keys on the keyboard numbered from 1 to 0 one by one. To return to the main screen of the program, press the F1 key, and to exit the program, press the Esc key.
I still don’t understand what the durability test (available via F5) is for, but I got out of it by simply pressing Enter and admiring the change of backgrounds in automatic mode.
One of the most common computer monitor problems is the appearance of individual dots on the screen whose color does not match the picture. The reason for this is damage or malfunction of the screen matrix, the minimum size element of which is a pixel. This term refers to an indivisible rectangular or round object with which an image is formed.
Several types of problem
A defect like dead pixel may look different:
- elements that always remain off are called “dead pixels” and will appear as dark dots against a light background;
- pixels that are always working are considered “hot” - you can see them on a dark or completely black background, where they continue to remain white;
- “Stuck” are elements that do not change color - they become noticeable only when the shade does not match the main image.
Important: If several pixels in one area fail at once, this damage is called a “dead pixel group.” Together they stack into rectangles ranging in size from 2 x 2 to 10 x 10 elements, or even in lines horizontally or vertically.
Allowable number of dead pixels
You should check the monitor for damaged matrix elements immediately upon purchase. Such a check will allow you to avoid problems with returning the product under warranty and conducting an examination to prove that the cause of the problem was a manufacturing defect and not the actions of the user.
According to the ISO13406-2 standard, each monitor is allowed a certain number of defective items. Therefore, even if checking the monitor for dead pixels showed their presence, this will be considered the norm in such situations:
- the product belongs to quality class 4 and can have up to 50 “hot” pixels, up to 150 “dead” pixels and up to 500 with other types of defects;
- the matrix was released in class 3, which allows for up to 5 always-on, up to 15 always-off elements, as well as up to 50 pixels with other problems;
- monitor quality class is second, and up to 2 “hot” and “dead” pixels and up to 5 “stuck” pixels can appear on the screen;
- first class monitor - there should be no dead pixels at all.
You can only count on the complete absence of defective elements when purchasing a first class product. However, most production models belong to the second category, and when checking them, you can find 1-2 or even 5 incorrectly working pixels. Although the monitor class shows how many defects are not considered defective, in fact, most products are completely absent.
It is recommended to determine whether the matrix is damaged at the store where you buy the monitor. However, if this is not possible or the product is purchased online, the check can also be carried out at home. For this, an online test or a special program is used, although noticeable defects can be detected with the naked eye.
Visual verification method
The simplest monitor test for dead pixels is to display a solid background of standard colors on the screen - black, white, red, green and blue. These five options will detect "burning", "dead" and "stuck" pixels.
You can check the monitor for defects in this way both at home and in stores. In the latter case, the backgrounds are copied to a flash drive and launched on the computer connected to the purchase. In addition to monochromatic images, you can use test pictures by finding them on the Internet.
Software
Another way to find defects is to use a program to check your monitor for dead pixels. You can use a suitable application both at home and in a store by recording not test images on a flash drive, but one of the verification utilities.
Dead Pixel Tester
One of the most popular programs for testing a monitor is Dead Pixel Tester. You can download it from the official website.
To check you should do the following:
- Launch an application that does not require installation and select the appropriate mode in the Pettern section and color using the Color Selector button.
- If necessary, set the mode change using the Auto Color Cycle option.
- Check to see if dots appear on the screen that do not match the color of the picture.
The Exerciser function, activated by pressing the corresponding button, allows you to find defects in a specific part of the screen. It creates a rectangular area that you can drag around the screen to look for dead pixels.
IsMyLcdOk
Another program suitable for diagnosing computer monitor matrices is IsMyLcdOk. It can also be downloaded for free and does not require installation. Instructions for performing the test appear on the screen after the first launch.
The check is launched with 4 keys - from F2 to F5. The list of available testing modes includes the display of colored stripes, rectangles, vertical or horizontal lines. In addition to standard tests, you can display a monochromatic or gradient image.
Online services for verification
If you cannot download and run the utility (for example, due to restrictions on downloading and launching on a work PC), you can check your monitor for dead pixels online. There are quite a few sites that allow you to find defects, but among them there are two that are simplest and easiest to use.
Monteon
To check matrix defects on this resource, just click the start testing button and select one of seven types of diagnostics and its variation.
Important: unlike most other sites, Monteon.ru uses not a static image for testing, but a looped video. Therefore, with its help you can not only find defects, but also control the refresh rate of pixels on the screen.
Vanity Monitor Test
Another popular service that allows you to quickly detect problems with displaying images on the screen. To run the utility on a PC, you will need Adobe Flash Player installed and a browser that supports it. To start checking, click the HTML Window inscription.
Modes in the online service are selected using the drop-down menu at the top. And you can use it to check for dead pixels not only on a computer monitor, but also on the screen of a laptop, tablet, and even a smartphone.
Repairing damaged areas
- Sometimes the functionality of a damaged matrix can be restored without contacting service. You can decide how to remove dead pixels on your monitor after you understand where they came from. If the control transistor fails, the damaged screen element can only be removed using a special laser. However, if the cause is subpixel freezing, the user can get rid of the defect by using the Bad Crystal program.
- The UndeadPixel utility also performs very well. If you encounter a pixel error, launch the application by clicking "Start" in the "Undead Pixel" section. A square will appear on the screen that changes colors. Using the Drag & Drop function, you can move the square over the defective area. A permanent color change should occur over several hours - after such a procedure the pixel can be restored. Please note that bring back to life completely black pixels is no longer possible.
- The free EIZO Test Monitor (suitable for any device) contains 24 test images and will help you quickly optimize color settings and check the screen for dead pixels. This utility does not require installation. Extract the ZIP archive and launch the application by double clicking. After that, click on the “Start TEST” button. Eight scenarios are available in the utility, including brightness and contrast calibration. If there is a need to change any settings, the program will tell you how to do this.
- Another treatment method involves physical exposure. To remove the damage, take a cotton swab and gently press on the dead pixel. After a few minutes (10 to 15), the failed element may start working. It will be possible to cure the matrix in this way if the pixels were “stuck” or “hot”.
Features of returning a monitor to a store
If all else fails, the user who discovers a defect has the right to return the monitor or exchange it for an equivalent product. Within 14 days, returns are made without specifying a reason: you just need to provide a sales or cash receipt and packaging of the returned equipment, on which there should be no traces of use.
If 2 weeks have already passed from the date of purchase, the buyer has the right to count on warranty repair of the monitor or its return if the device cannot be repaired. However, in this situation, the equipment is first sent for examination: based on its results, it is determined at whose expense the monitor will be repaired - the buyer or the seller.
Any malfunctions in the operation of equipment are extremely unpleasant and often lead to serious consequences, including complete loss of performance. To detect problems in a timely manner and prevent possible difficulties in the future, it makes sense to use specialized software. The most worthy representatives of this software category are presented in this material.
A free software product from Russian developers, which contains all the necessary tests that allow for a full diagnosis of all the most important characteristics of the monitor. These include displaying colors, different brightness levels and contrasting images.
In addition, in the main program window you can get general information about all devices responsible for graphic display.
PassMark MonitorTest
This representative of the described category of software differs from the previous one primarily in that it contains complex tests that provide the fastest and most complete check of the monitor’s performance.
Another very significant feature of PassMark MonitorTest is the ability to diagnose the state of touch screens. However, unlike its competitors, this program is paid.
Dead Pixel Tester
This program is designed to detect so-called dead pixels. To search for such defects, tests similar to those present in other representatives of this category of software are used.
The results of the equipment research can be sent to the website of the program developers, which, in theory, can help monitor manufacturers.
If you have any suspicions regarding the correct operation of the monitor, it would be wise to use one of the software products described above. All of them can provide a decent level of testing of the main parameters and will help to detect any defects in a timely manner, while they can still be corrected.
Let's first define what pixels are. Pixels, roughly speaking, are the points that make up the monitor screen. For example, a FullHD monitor has a resolution of 1920 by 1080 pixels. This means that the monitor has 1920 pixels in width and 1080 in height. Multiplying these 2 values, we get the total number of pixels - 2,073,600. These points display the desired colors and an image is formed on the screen.
Sometimes, due to defects or physical influences, some points lose the ability to display different colors, and constantly “burn” with the same color - black, white, red or any other. These are dead pixels. And even if out of more than 2 million dots on the screen one is broken, it will constantly be an “eyesore”. Some manufacturers allow a few dead pixels on their new monitors, meaning you will not be able to return such a monitor under warranty. Therefore, it is best to check the monitor when purchasing, as you were advised.
It's best to take a laptop with you to the store (not every store has a test bench for testing), you can connect it to a monitor and run the test program. There are quite a lot of such programs, we recommend using Dead pixel tester. You can download the program (checked for viruses) or on the official website.
The program is small and does not even require installation. When the program starts, the screen will turn completely black. Close the program menu and left-click anywhere.
The screen fill color will change - inspect the screen for pixels of a different color. You can also enable automatic color changing at a specified interval. It is important to review all the primary colors!
If you are not prepared and you do not have the Dead pixel tester program, you can use the standard program of any version of Windows - Paint. Open Paint and make your work area larger than your screen. Apply a fill, for example, with black. Press F11 to open the image full screen. Inspect the screen, then press F11 again to exit to normal mode and change the fill color. This, of course, is not as convenient as using the program, but it is quite possible to check the monitor.
Good luck with your purchase, and if you still have questions, we will be happy to help you!
One of the most common problems with modern monitors is dead pixels. Finding a stuck or dead pixel is sometimes a difficult task, so it is best to use special software to find such defects.
Checking for dead pixels
- a tiny program that will help identify dead pixels on the monitor screen, and in some cases allows you to restore stuck ones.
The principle of working with the program is quite simple; upon startup, the user can change the fill color of the entire screen and look for stuck and broken pixels using a solid color. You can choose a color from a ready-made set, or choose your own shade.
The “Pattern” drop-down list allows you to select the required pattern for screen calibration.
How to recover a stuck pixel?
As stated above, in addition to detecting dead pixels, the program in some cases is capable of restoring them.
The reader has probably heard of at least two unpleasant pixel states: stuck pixel(a pixel that, for some reason, stopped switching) and dead pixel(the pixel that failed burned out). So, in some cases, the program allows you to restore stuck pixels, without the need to contact a service center.
To try to recover a stuck pixel, click on the “Exerciser” button. A window will appear blinking in different colors, which must be placed in the place on the screen where the defect appears and let it work for a while. The width and height of the window can be slightly increased or decreased by grabbing the borders and moving them in the desired direction.
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