Samsung monitor falls to bits.

[johnwillyums]

The Samsung monitor in the other room just fell off it's stand onto the concrete floor.
I live in a one bedroom flat. I have my main pc (recent build) in the lounge.
I was unable to sell my previous build so I decided to network it and use it as a media pc in the bedroom.
In April this year I bought a Samsung P2450H monitor and some Logitech speakers and set it up.
Just now I heard a crash from the bedroom. I went in and found the monitor had broken off it's stand and crashed to the floor. I've looked and the plastic fixing bracket that attaches the pc to the stand has sheared off.
Nothing has caused this. It just happened by itself.
As the monitor comes with the stand already attached to the body all I have done is attach the base.
That remained on the table.
The stand looked flimsy anyway but this a disaster. The casing round the screen is coming apart. I can get it to start up but then the power socket must be damaged because the power lead keeps losing the connect unless you hold it in a certain way.
I think the screen also has some slight damage as well and I think it's a write off altogether.
This has got to be a design flaw I think but it's a problem. My 30 day return with Amazon has expired so I imagine I'll have to argue this out with Samsung to get it replaced.
Anybody got experience with this?

Thanks, John

 

[BCXtreme]

That's a Samsung "Touch of Color" monitor you have/had there. I've never owned one myself, primarily because I've heard that they have unreliable stands.

You might be able to get Samsung to honor a warranty, but I think if you got another of the same line you'd end up with the same problem sooner or later.

 

[A Guy]

The Samsung monitor in the other room just fell off it's stand onto the concrete floor.
I live in a one bedroom flat. I have my main pc (recent build) in the lounge.
I was unable to sell my previous build so I decided to network it and use it as a media pc in the bedroom.
In April this year I bought a Samsung P2450H monitor and some Logitech speakers and set it up.
Just now I heard a crash from the bedroom. I went in and found the monitor had broken off it's stand and crashed to the floor. I've looked and the plastic fixing bracket that attaches the pc to the stand has sheared off.
Nothing has caused this. It just happened by itself.
As the monitor comes with the stand already attached to the body all I have done is attach the base.
That remained on the table.
The stand looked flimsy anyway but this a disaster. The casing round the screen is coming apart. I can get it to start up but then the power socket must be damaged because the power lead keeps losing the connect unless you hold it in a certain way.
I think the screen also has some slight damage as well and I think it's a write off altogether.
This has got to be a design flaw I think but it's a problem. My 30 day return with Amazon has expired so I imagine I'll have to argue this out with Samsung to get it replaced.
Anybody got experience with this?

Thanks, John

I'm a TV tech, and now I triage all the parts for my company. We are Samsung authorized and have an employee who is a Samsung Field Engineer. I mention this because we deal with Samsung a lot. You'll want to contact Samsung, as Amazon wouldn't do a return on a damaged monitor in any case. Suggest you get pictures of everything involved. You need to document that this wasn't physical damage caused by your negligence, but rather a defect in the stand assy. And, if as BCXtreme suggested, this is a known issue, they would surely fix it. Suggest doing some googling to see if other are posting about this issue.

You may have to bring or ship the monitor somewhere to have it looked at. The digital pictures will allow you to email them to Samsung before you do anything. They may agree to replace the monitor. then you won't have to deal with shipping it off and waiting. Good luck, if indeed you assembled it correctly, and it is the stand assy that failed, you just might be saved. A Guy

 

[johnwillyums]

Thanks for the replies you two. I contacted Amazon who gave me Samsung's 'phone number. They asked me to send some close up photographs of the part where the plastic has sheared off.
I've sent these off to Samsung. The guy I spoke to seemed to quite understand the issue so I suspect he's heard this problem before and it is a design flaw.
He said the most likely outcome is that they will send out a replacement monitor and I use the packaging it comes in to return the broken one.
As you say BCX, it's likely I will experience similar problems again with this monitor if I'm not careful. It is a very flimsy stand.
When I bought it I was going to pay extra for the model with the same panel and a pro ergo stand but decided to save money.
I regret that now but I'm stuck with an exact replacement ( if I'm lucky) I suspect.

Thank you both for your input, John

 

[merkat106]

It was the Samsung stand that came with the monitor? I have that same monitor as you, but I am now glad that I didn't use their stand with it. Instead I am using a dual monitor VESA mount. I am lucky to have done this?

If you get an even replacement, get a 3rd party stand so you won't risk this again. Something like this: 3M MA100MB 14 x 18 x 5 inch Monitor TV Arm Mount with Vesa D Configuration, 6 Point Adjustable and to Hold Up To 8.16kg (18lbs) - Black: Amazon.co.uk: Office Products

 

[Fumz]

Had bad dreams all night after reading this thread... this am I ordered a mounting arm.

 

[BCXtreme]

Had bad dreams all night after reading this thread... this am I ordered a mounting arm.

You have a Samsung Touch of Color screen? Cause if not ... I mean, I've had like 7 flat screen monitors over time, and never had any fall off the stand. If you look at the stand of the OP's monitor on TigerDirect, Samsung obviously did not take little things like "gravity" and "balance" into account when making the stand. You get a very different impression when looking at the stands of the monitors I use. In a word, they are thick. Strong. Secure. The Samsung stand is ... not.

 

[fseal]

I had a 6 year old 24 in Samsung monitor die (electronically) on me a few months ago.

As I was taking it down and taking off the stand (to toss out while I recycled the screen) I noticed that the metal in the upright part of the stands neck had been slowly bending over the years and yes, at the top was a mechanism (I forget exactly how it worked) that held the metal bracket attached to the monitor to this bit of upright metal through the neck and it was ALMOST completely sheared off simply from the tremendous weight of the monitor on that cantilevered point.

It was astonishing, and the very next time I moved or tried to twist the monitor it could have easily done the same thing.

 

[Fumz]

Had bad dreams all night after reading this thread... this am I ordered a mounting arm.

You have a Samsung Touch of Color screen? Cause if not ... I mean, I've had like 7 flat screen monitors over time, and never had any fall off the stand.

P2450H, same as johnwillyums.

I've had a few Samsungs myself and never had this happen either. The stand doesn't appear to be weak, and, lol, believe me I was right on the flashlight checking things out last night, but, it's better to be safe than sorry. Besides, it's something I've wanted to do for a while now anyway.

 

[johnwillyums]

Yup. You're right it is a rubbish design and I was worried about it as soon as I received it.
My other monitor (Dell 2408WFP) has a superb stand that is stable, well made and has a wide range of adjustment.
As soon as I saw this thing I could see that it was both flimsy and inherently unstable.
However I thought it would be ok as I placed it on a small unit at the opposite end of the room to my bedhead. I would be using it, mostly for media viewing, from about 9 feet away.
So no chance of accidentally knocking it over and once I'd adjusted it (upright basically) I need never touch it again apart from touch on/off and cleaning. I have been extremely careful with it and I do not need to even walk near it.
It's just snapped under it's own weight. The arm of stand is attached to the monitor by two tiny movable plastic mouldings with small screws coming from the inside of the casing. Not user accessible. I think it was probably over tightened at one side and that side has fractured and the panels weight has caused it to break the other moulding and it's tipped sideways.

@Merkat106. Thanks for that link. The stand you suggest is lovely but it's £76. I could have got a better monitor with a pro stand for that plus the price of the P2450H. There are some cheaper ones such as this at £30: LCD502S LCD Monitor Bracket Desk Mount Table Mounting: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

As I've said at the moment I'm using a small drawer unit so something with a G clamp wouldn't work. What about this: Ergotron Neo-Flex LCD Stand - Stand for flat panel: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo
It looks fairly sturdy but it's £42.
It's a bit crap when you have to buy a stand for your monitor. I'm rather regretting this purchase.
Here's one of the pics I sent to Samsung. You can see what I mean about flimsy.

Thanks for the input, J

 

[merkat106]

Your welcome

That's some damage. Glad my other, older flatscreen Samsung never did that since I used its stand for years.

This is what I use. Amazon.com: Dual LCD Monitor Stand desk clamp holds up to 24" lcd monitors: Electronics

Have you looked at this? http://www.amazon.co.uk/Vertical-Mo...?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1278715654&sr=1-11

 

[A Guy]

Oh yeah, that's very clear, I suspect your biggest problem now will be having to take your old one to be shipped back. That picture is so obvious. I have 2 Samsung monitors, and the stand actually goes up into the bottom, and takes a great deal of force. I'm hoping I never have to work on mine, because I'm sure it will never want to seperate again.

To be clear, Samsung makes excellent stuff, I'd not hesitate to buy them again. Even the best make a dud every now and then. A Guy

 

[johnwillyums]

I read that it's either a Samsung or LG/Philips panel in most monitors no matter who the manufacturer.
I agree. I think Samsung are a great quality firm. I have there hard drives and I had a monitor a while ago and it was great.
They make good cameras as well.
However this particular monitor is not a great example of their usual quality. I'm not just saying that because mine has broken. Even if it hadn't happened I would still be of the opinion that this monitor is neither well designed nor well made. It feels cheap. Mind you, it is quite cheap.

 

[A Guy]

I read that it's either a Samsung or LG/Philips panel in most monitors no matter who the manufacturer.
I agree. I think Samsung are a great quality firm. I have there hard drives and I had a monitor a while ago and it was great.
They make good cameras as well.
However this particular monitor is not a great example of their usual quality. I'm not just saying that because mine has broken. Even if it hadn't happened I would still be of the opinion that this monitor is neither well designed nor well made. It feels cheap. Mind you, it is quite cheap.

Actually very few manufacturers, mostly names most wouldn't recognize. CMO, AOU, Cheng Mei, etc. Different qualities amongst them too. A Guy

 

[BCXtreme]

I read that it's either a Samsung or LG/Philips panel in most monitors no matter who the manufacturer.
I agree. I think Samsung are a great quality firm. I have there hard drives and I had a monitor a while ago and it was great.
They make good cameras as well.
However this particular monitor is not a great example of their usual quality. I'm not just saying that because mine has broken. Even if it hadn't happened I would still be of the opinion that this monitor is neither well designed nor well made. It feels cheap. Mind you, it is quite cheap.

TigerDirect says it's $290 retail. Not my idea of cheap.

I also think Samsung is great at manufacturing technology, but a monitor stand isn't really technology, is it?

 

[Fumz]

However this particular monitor is not a great example of their usual quality. I'm not just saying that because mine has broken. Even if it hadn't happened I would still be of the opinion that this monitor is neither well designed nor well made. It feels cheap. Mind you, it is quite cheap.

Really? I have just the opposite opinion. I'm just loving mine, of course, after a lot of calibrating. About the only thing I'd choose over it would be a Samsung 24" LED, but unfortunately, they're not making them 24"s yet.

 

[johnwillyums]

I'm satisfied with the panel. It's really good (for a TN panel). It's the flimsy stand and the creaky casing that's not as good as Samsung monitors I've had in the past. Mind you they were comparatively more expensive.
Hopefully I'll find out tomorrow whether Samsung will RTM it for me. I'm wondering whether they'll let me put some more money toward and get one with a proper stand. I don't feel confident in that stand after what's happened

 

[Fumz]

... and the creaky casing...

Creaky casing? Hopefully you got an odd mis-build that somehow passed qa?

 

[johnwillyums]

Well Samsung aren't exactly being helpful. They asked for pictures of the damaged stand so I sent them on Friday.
Rang them today and, after several robots, spoke to someone who said they hadn't received my mail.
I sent it again. Rang them again. They still hadn't received it. The guy suggested my images were too big for their system and that I should reduce them and try again.
I did that.
He said he would ring me back personally within half an hour.
An hour and a half later I rang Samsung again.
After endless robots and tunes I got a different guy. He searched for my mail and found it.
He told me that it will be sent on to their engineers who will make a decision on whether it's my fault it fell off and whether they will replace it.
I asked how long and he says he has no idea.
Lucky this is not crucial to my livelihood really

Cheers, John

PS@Fumz. By creaky case I meant that the entire fascia and panel surround is merely pop mounted onto the rear casing. There was quite a lot of play on mine. J

 

[johnwillyums]

Samsung have refused to honour their warranty.
Firstly they tried to say I had over tightened the screws in the assembly.
As you can probably see from the pic I posted, the screws come from inside the casing and this would not be possible.
When I pointed this out the guy said that there was no proof I hadn't knocked it over myself and the stem had been broken by the impact.
Frankly, I'm amazed.