Inspiron 9400 Black Screen

I am having a similar problem, see my post:
My Post

Backlight works, but no image at all, not even the bootup screen.  If I disconnect the laptop screen from the video card ( Ge Force GO7900 GS) but keep the external VGA monitor connected and boot up, I will see the bootup screen and login screen and all runs normal.  I did not get the codes you got when you ran the diagnostic, see my post.  Another strange thing, when I have the laptop screen connected and an external monitor connected, bootup, logon, wait for Vista to completely finish loading, THEN initiate SHUTDOWN via Vista onscreen, the laptop screen will go 100% white for 2 seconds before the computer finally shuts down.  Now does this mean the video card is toast, not likely because it drives the external just fine, or the laptop screen is toast???  Someone out there know the answer I am sure, please help!

Dannodotcom

My solution:

I just purchased a new LCD screen from eBay (not the whole hinged cover, just the internal LCD screen). It took about an hour and a half to exchange the screens and, presto, it works!
F.Y.I. I bought it from laptopservicecenter for about $200, but there are a couple of sellers of this item. An interesting note is that the new, un-used screen has a sticker on the back: "Samsung Engineering Sample" so I can't vouch for the original source of the screen. All I know is that the screen arrived quickly, installed easily and works!

I am having a similar problem.

1.  The Dell 9400 LCD Screen is blank / black anytime I first power on the laptop. 

2.  I have tried different configurations, including using only the battery, using just power, using both.

3.  All lights on the keyboard (WiFI, Caps, Power, HD and Power) are working and the system loads.  The backlight seems to work too as there is a thin white glow at the bottom of the screen and flickers once Windows loads.

4.  The screen stays blank / black once Windows loads. 

 

However, I can get the screen to work by doing the following:

1.  Power up the laptop and allow Windows XP to load completely (even though I cannot see it loading).  I can tell by the sound once its complete.

2.  Pull the power including battery and cord.

3.  Reboot.

If I do that, then most of the time the screen will come back on and be viewable just fine.  It does not work 100% of the time, but most of the time on a second Windows load, I can get the screen to load.  Moreover, I ran all diagnostic tests and everything passed completely.

 

Any ideas?  Is this software or hardware?  Both?

While it could be a faulty video card, it's far more likely a faulty system board.

 

I had an error 2000-0333 that caused my screen to be blank on 1501 Inspiron . Found this and it works. Remove the cover over power button carefully, right above the print screen button is a connector, start on left side press down till snaps in then move to right snap in and then restart computer should work. It takes more time taking off the cover than the fix.... Send me the $40+ I just saved you.. hehe

 

Problems With Flat Panel Monitor or Laptop Screen or problems with portable LCD's

 

Same problem here, i tried to take off the cover over my power button and replug it but still doesnt work.

My screen go blank after a the windows loading screen, but i still can go on safe mode, seem to work.

So beside monitor, can it be a driver problem? i checked all driver update, everything seem updated