Same as your original post. After the Dell logo, the screen went black. Booting into safe mode allowed the screen to function but at lower resolution without the GPU functioning. Then disabling the video driver and booting normally also allowed the screen to function, but again without the GPU functioning. Any attempt to re-enable the video driver either in Device Manager or re-installing the video driver caused the screen to immediately go black.
I unplugged, removed the bottom panel, removed the battery, held down the power button for a couple minutes, then plugged in, started up and was able to enable the video driver without the screen going black. Then shutdown, put the battery back in, closed it up, and I haven't had the problem since.
My understanding is that this procedure drains accumulated static charge that can be interfering with proper functionality, in this case, presumably the GPU. Safe mode worked because it doesn't load the video driver and thus doesn't use the GPU.
Unfortunately removing the battery on this laptop requires opening it up, which should be done with the right tools (torx T5 wrench and small phillips) and great care to avoid damaging. The service manual explains how this should be done.
