3200MP No More Picture

Question

I purchased a Dell 3200MP projector in September 2003, and it's been a great unit for our entertainment room.  Recently the picture started flickering and eventually just gave out.  The orange Lamp light came on, and I assumed it was just time to get a new one.  It had been used for over 1800 hours and that's a pretty good chunk of its 2000 life.   I got a new bulb and replaced the old one with no problem. However, the unit still does not work.  I turn it on and the lamp works fine, but I get no picture.  Not even the Dell countdown screen comes on.  Eventually the lamp cuts out and the orange lamp indicator light comes on.  Any idea what's happening?

DELL-Chris M · Answer

jpandre, The power button LED should be blinking when in a power off or standby mode. Power it off. Disconnect it from the PC. Power it on. Does the blue Dell screen appear?

jpandre · Answer

I get no picture at all: no white screen, no blue screen no matter how long I wait.  I ultimately power down the project as I've done in the past by pressing the Power button twice.   Normally for the first 30 seconds after pressing the Power button, there is the white Dell countdown screen.  After this it remains white a while longer while the projector searches for video signals among its inputs. Then it goes to the Dell blue screen.  However in my case now, I get no screens at all.

treadwell · Answer

I also have had the lamp go recently, but after only a couple hundred hours of operation and have no lamp operation at all on start up with a replacement bulb.  The symptoms are.   Plug power cord in, get blinking power button, no lamp operation. Hit power button once, get 'click' out of speaker, no lamp operation. Approximately 30 seconds get second click, button lights flash, no lamp operation This happens two more times, then fans kick on and lamp light goes on. I've also seen the temp light come on after considerable time, but at no time does the projection lamp come on.   Tried the dustbusting procedure with no results, but there was little to no dust in the projector.   Not happy with the durability of this projector as it has not been used very much.

jpandre · Answer

I took the projector into a shop to have it checked out.  Apparently, the lamp isn't my problem at all.  What blew on on my 3200MP is the DMD or Digital Micromirror Device.  I believe the lamp shines on/through this to project the image.  I was told it's a repair of over $600.  I'm better off buying new.   I agree with the comment expressing disappointment in the projector's durability.  Mine is/was mounted to the ceiling, and I've never packed it up and lugged it around.  I've had it for 4 years, but I only got a little over 1800 hours of use from it.  To have what I'd call a major malfunction happen after only the equivalent of 75 days of straight use is really disheartening.   Before knowing the projector's specific problem, I chatted with Dell's support. Since it's out of warranty they couldn't offer more than suggesting I take it to a local shop or replace it.  That's an awfully expensive unit to just replace.

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3200MP No More Picture

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