2710 Blackout! What went wrong?

Did you accidentally press the Input source select control (#8, here) and turn off the internal LCD and/or select video input from an external source (which you said still works )?

It's a toggle button, so you may have to press it more than once to "cycle" through all the choices, so give it a couple of seconds between presses to see if it will recognize the internal LCD again.

Are you saying the internal LCD displays everything correctly when there's no external video source connected, but only after you press the video source button?

If that's true, there may be some Windows setting that needs changing, eg which screen is set as primary display...

No, only the external HDMI source displays on the LCD screen. If I switch to "Computer" by left button #9, there is only black and grey flickering.

I can not get into Windows at all and I dont get into either BIOS or ePSA. The Dell logo is never to be seen. 

I have talked to Dell today and they wil receive the computer for service. Probable change of motherboard. It will take a while and my worry is that they will wipe the harddisk in the process.

Can not understand why they want the HDD with the computer, I dont think it is needed in this case. They seemed a bit inflexible too when I asked for the possibility of getting a new 2720 motherboard and a SSD replacement...

If I can clone the HDD (2 TB) to a SSD (.5 TB) I probably dont need a 2720 mobo. Will check out threads here on that issue.

They need the hard drive because it has all the drivers installed for your system and they will need to boot it up. They -obviously- can't possibly have spare hard drives with Windows and drivers installed for every possible model. And you do want it to work with your hard drive so you won't have to send it back a second time. :emotion-5:

If you haven't sent it back, see if you can buy/borrow a USB transfer cable that's designed specifically for file sharing. Use that to access the 2710 hard drive from the laptop so you can copy off your personal files.

Dell's warranty doesn't give you the option to get an upgraded system. They'll fix what you have and that's not being unreasonable at all.

The computer is now on its way for service at Dells service partner with the HDD inside. I understand the reason for leaving it in the computer ;-). But I now have a clone of it, just in case....!

I asked the Dell tech department if it was _possible_ to put in a 2720 motherboard in the old chassis and pay for it. But they wanted me to contact Sales, so I still dont know if it is even possible. It would be a golden opportunity to shift motherbords and of course pay for the upgrade. Dell is a commercial company.

I think i will call them tomorrow.

I'd be very surprised if they'll upgrade the motherboard, even if you're willing to pay for the upgrade.

Might be very complicated because your Service Tag configuration info won't match the actual PC etc, not to mention that everybody will start requesting upgrades instead of repairs under warranty...

If you want to upgrade, I presume you could just order a new board after they fix it -as is- and install it yourself.

Do you even know the 2720 motherboard fits your case and all mounting holes, connectors, ports etc align properly so this upgrade is even possible..??

Thanks for the answer Ron.

I too think there would be a hassle to find out what would fit inside this 2710. I suggested to change the motherboard myself and if there was a clear upgrade path for this chassis, a new motherboard. I therefore decided to use the 500 GB SSD as my own upgrade path, and it all went very well when the computer was returned OK.

I have an Operating Systems disc which Dell sent me a long time ago and the computer was now returned with a new Windows Product Key and I made a clean install.

I enabled Secure Boot , UEFI and ACHI in BIOS and the installation was smooth and quite fast. Maybe I should have enabled the SSD with more of its features like Overprovisioning, OS Optimization and the RAPID function for a really fast experience, but it was done on another computer and I did not know how much would carry over. Anyway there is this formatting during the install...

I am now very satisfied with this very quiet and responsive 2710 and I can recommend a change from a HDD to an SSD. There have been some inspiring threads on the subject in this forum. Thanks.

Glad it all worked out for you and you have a nice SSD too.

I had the exact same issue. I just replaced my motherboard last night with one I purchased online. It finally booted and I was able to get into the BIOS and run the diagnostic tools. All went well. I then rebooted and the machine is now experiencing the exact same problem as before. Powers on to black screen and does nothing. HDMI in works fine, but never tries to boot the computer or allow me into the BIOS.

From your post it seems like you got the same issue and resolved it. What was your solution?

Sorry to hear about your experience. It seems you have another motherboard to change? Try to take out the memory sticks and listen for beeps. If there are, you might have to change the motherboard again.

But there must be something else at fault, like the powersupply if two motherboards are shot in rapid succession...!

If I yank the ram I get the double beep, so at least some of the POST checking in getting done. The same thing was happening with the original MB though. Dell convinced me that it was a MB problem. Now I'm not so sure anymore. My gut is also telling me that it may be a power supply issue after all.

I was hoping to buy a power supply tester but it seems like this system doesn't use a standard power plug, so I'm out of my element. I'm toying with also picking up a used one on eBay, but I'm starting to worry that I have a money pit here.

I have the same problem! I took out the ram slots one by one nothing changed. What else I could do? I contacted dell support and they said replacing the motherboard would cost at least 400£ which is way over my budget.. I am pretty convinced that nothing you buy from dell will work more than 2 years unless you pay for the most expensive part of the computer to fix it..

They behave very similar to UK customers as well. I rang them again to ask what else could have been done. I purchased 2 laptops and the all in one 2710  from dell. I was happy with my first laptop (XPS L502x-i7) until i spilled some water on it (all my fault). Then, I contacted Dell support they told me that they need to replace the motherboard I paid 200£ in 2012. I kept experiencing difficulties even they said they replaced the motherboard.. Therefore, I bought another laptop from the same line  (XPS L502x)  but i couldn't afford i7 so I went for i5 this time. 1 Year later it stopped working properly (freezing- and poor performance). This time I decided to go for a powerful system so i purchased XPS One 2710- i7 ... After 2 years dell tells me that i need to pay for a new motherboard. I explained them that when they replaced the motherboard for my laptop i was not happy with the results and I wonder if it would be the same.. (You never receive the (old) replaced part from dell which makes me wonder if they really did what they charged for.)

Guess what they said!! Dell uses refurbished motherboards and only guarantee the parts for 3 months.  If i have no choice in repairing it by myself (because a BRAND NEW motherboard costs way less than what dell asks for a "refurbished" one)  I have to send it to them in expense of my hard earned money and TIME!! Because even they want me to wait "COUPLE OF WEEKS" as they don't have any motherboards right now.

I would have understood if they charge reasonably for a refurbished stuff. 

I have been using Dell products since I was 7. In the old days Dell was selling proper computers that would last a long time and they used to support of their own goods properly.