Laptops General - Read Only

[123eunicey]

I know this has already been asked. but there has been no solution so i must ask again

My xps screen turns black after the dell logo. It works if i plug it into an external monitor. But it doesn't recognize my laptop screen. My laptop only works if i disable the driver or boot it in safe mode. 

Please help dell. I didn't spend $1500 for a desktop. I need a laptop with a working screen.

[123eunicey]

Could you explain what would that step accomplish? How can it be a phyical hardware problem if the screen works in safe mode? Shouldn't it be a software/driver problem? Thank you.

[xja · Accepted solution]

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.

[ralphvo]

Hello xia,

Thanks so muck for your solution,  I've fixed it.

[ralphvo]

Hello xia,

Thanks so muck for your solution,  I've fixed it. Thank you again,

[czpdx1]

I'll add to the chorus that the battery removal solution really does fix the problem. There must be an inherent design flaw that causes it, but thankfully this works.

[czpdx1]

I have to unfortunately update my post to say that the fix only worked for a week. It's now doing the same thing again and I can only work by disabling the display adapter in device manager. I'll check the video cable itself, but I'm fearful that it might require a motherboard replacement.