A couple of weeks ago, I purchased the CompUSA LCD/CRT Cleaning Kit and used it to clean the screen of my Dell 18-inch LCD monitor. But a few hours later, when I turned on my monitor, most of the screen was discolored. A CompUSA executive supervisor told me that he had discussed my problem with others at the corporate office and that they would not do anything for me.
Michael Roth, West Hollywood, California
On Your Side responds: After we got in touch with CompUSA, its representatives ordered a new monitor for Roth, but they would not provide us with any further information about the cleaning kit's ingredients or whether other customers had reported similar problems. The product's packaging does not state its ingredients. When we purchased the kit and tried it on a notebook monitor, we did not see any discoloration.
The Dell manual we looked at warns users not to apply industrial-strength cleaners or petroleum-based products. John Young-Hein, vice president of Meridew Enterprises, which makes a different line of cleaning products called Klear Screen, says that many screen-cleaning gels contain alcohol or ammonia, "big no-nos for an LCD."
Following your manual's cleaning instructions is the best strategy, starting with the least-aggressive method.
Amber Bouman
Amber Bouman is an editorial assistant for PC World. E-mail her at onyourside@pcworld.com. To read previously published On Your Side columns, click here.
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