[Nobody]

Aloha,

Soon I'll be off to buy either the 12" or 14" iBook, thanks to the great guidence from this helpful message board. This will be my first computer (webtv doesn't count) since the Apple II+ in the mid 80's.

Anyway, the reseller will allow me to open the box prior to purchase and check for dead pixels. I figure I better come armed with a good OSX pixel check program on CDR in order to maximize this one shot diagnosis.

A kind fellow from this group suggested Pixel Check:
http://homepage.mac....&cty=US&lang=en

Problem is that I have absolutely no way to download the program much less burn it to an OSX friendly CDR.

Could I impose upon one of you kind souls to download Pixel Check program (or something like it), see if it works, and then burn and mail the CDR to me?

Of course I'll send a check to cover any expenses incurred.

Please email me at DancingSea@webtv.net if you feel like helping out.

Mahalo Nui Loa,
John

[Nobody]

Make a square of 'white' in Photoshop and then make it your background. After that, clean the B-Hesus out of the screen (with water and a lint-free cloth) and make sure that you are not looking a spots. Also make sure that there isn't anything visable on the desktop. In theory, any spots left are dead / damaged pixels.

That is the best way that I have tried to date. There are othrer 'programs' that change the color of the background and hope that you see something. I guess that you could try other color too, to make sure that some pixels aren't 'stuck'.

Good luck!

[CrecenS]

Maui,

In the future, if you use the URL button to post a link in these forums, you will save us Mozilla users from having to scroll horizontally to see your posts. Thanks,

[Nobody]

Hi
That would be my suggestion. Make a couple pics of pure colors the size of the resolution you will be using to test. Photoshop would be the easiest. If I get bored and have some time I'll throw some together for you if you want them. I would say make five different ones. White. Black Red. Green. Blue. Than, set them as the screen saver so they cover the entire screen. Then, check the screen while using each color to determine any stuck or dead pixels. And, yes, if they allow you use a soft lint free cloth and even just water to make sure the screen is clean. Good Luck!

MacCheetah3

[Nobody]

Not to refute anyone, but I find all that to be a bit of overkill.

If you're buying a brand new machine, straight out of the box, the screen will be the cleanest it'll ever be during the lifetime of your iBook. No need to bring water, cloths, or any solutions to clean it.

Also, the Photoshop screens won't be very much help because your brand new, straight out of the box iBook doesn't come with Photoshop installed on it. Your best option will be to select a couple of solid-colour desktop patterns and see if you can spot anything onscreen.

Good luck! images/icons/smile.gif

[Nobody]

If he really just wants to check it out, there is a white background picture in System Preferences, Desktop, Solid Colors. Yes, it's just a background picture and won't cover the whole screen but it would be enough to spot any screaming stuck or dead pixels in the main working area of the screen-or he could hide the dock and move the HD icon around to check behind it.

[Nobody]

Hi Webdiva:

Hope your Thanksgiving went well.

What I suggest is going into OS 9 and going to "Appearance" and changing the desktop schematic to one called "Simple." It's completely white. It's easy to spot a dead or stuck pixel there. Then go ahead and move the desktop schematic or picture to another solid-color background and look again. It's always worked for me/us.

Good luck and congratulations!

[Nobody]

I just downloaded Pixel Tester 2.1 and it's great. 765k at VersionTracker.com

I'll mail it to you MauiMac if you want -- will email you.

[Nobody]

Thanks for all the suggestions! To be honest, I've not as much as touched a computer since the mid 80's (except for webtv) thus I'm not sure I could figure out the Photoshop approach.

My plan is to give the Pixel Test CDR to an Apple genuis at the store and get him to prove to me that the program shows that all pixels are ok dokey. Honestly, I don't even know enough about a modern day computer to even get the Pixel Test program to run on my own images/icons/smile.gif

I apologize if posting the full url messed things up. Unfortunately, that's the only way I know how to post a url. The instant UBB Codes don't seem to work with webtv. I read through the info about UBB codes but couldn't figure out how to post the url any differently than I did.

Feel free to teach me how to post urls differently!

Thanks again for the ideas and yet another Thanks to Senior Member for sending the CD.

Take it easy....

[Nobody]

Just one question: How does a well spoken and intelligent person like you end up with WebTV? You deserve a Mac if I ever saw a person that deserved one. images/icons/wink.gif

[CrecenS]

Just a question, but how satisfied are you with WebTV?

[Nobody]

Gee Sebimeyer.. thanks... I think images/icons/smile.gif

Actually, I'm rather fond of webtv. Spent $99 for the unit + wireless keyboard and have been going strong for 5 years now. It has never crashed, immune to all viruses, and has never broken down. Can sit back on a couch and whip up emails or surf the net. Kind of relaxing really. And it's completely idiot proof, which is good for folks like myself.

But now my needs extend beyond my little pea-brained webtv, and hence the mac.

MSN has a deal where you can get both webtv (now MSNTV) and MSN computer dial-up access for $21.99/mo. Supposedly MSN is releasing MSN 8 for OSX in January, thus I just might keep the good old trusty webtv images/icons/smile.gif

I know, it can't do what a mac can do, but webtv does have some virtues, when cast in a certain light.

[Nobody]

Aloha CrecenS,

Webtv is pretty cool, as long as you stay within it's narrow field of abilities, email and reading websites. It's kind of like a computer's mentally challenged little brother. Sure, it can't do nearly all the big brother can do, but what little it can do, it does well, imho.

So yes, in all honesty, I've been quite satisfied with webtv.

Here's a funny story. The creator of webtv built a bunny sanctuary here on Maui. They put a whole bunch of money into building this place for wayward bunny rabbits. Don't know why, but the thought of that makes me laugh. I'm proud to know that a portion of my monthly webtv payment went to help the disadvantaged bunny rabbits of Maui County!

[CrecenS]

Thats very intersting, Maui!

If you don't mind, I'd like to know what you think WebTV's biggest limitations are and what drove you to get a "real" computer in addition to WebTV. i am currently studying something very similar, so I have a particular interest with real WebTV users.

Feel free to PM me if you'd please, thanks!