7010, black screen on boot, resolved

Question

Hi. This is actually not a problem, since I was able to resolve it. But I wanted to post it here, so I might help someone, If he encounters a similar problem. I'm just a standard-PC-user, so please have some understanding for my none-technical descriptions! Since I already ordered a new PC I stripped down my Optiplex 7010 to the basic hardware-setup (as I got it). So I removed the 3rd party- PSU, the Graphics card and the SSD, from where Win10 did boot lately. I then tried to setup the standard 500GB HDD as the main HDD again, where the OS should boot from. Out of fun I then tried to install Win7 from a USB-Stick, which seemed to work. But at the first reboot the system said something like  'no bootable device found'. I then accessed the boot-options from that screen and by clicking too fast enabled Secure-Boot. Maybe also legacy-boot? Hmm When I tried the reboot, the screen stayed completely black, but the system-fans did run normally. I tried some things, that did not work (reset UEFI via removing of battery, using the PSWD-Jumper) with no result. Still black screen on startup. I then reinstalled my SSD (with the still installed Win10 on it) and tried again. Still black screen, but after some 45 seconds suddenly the windows login appeared and I was able to access Windows normally. I then tried to restart and pressing F2 for accessing the UEFI or F12 for boot-options but nothing happened. Also entering UEFI via Windows-Troubleshooting did not help. Black screen, black screen. I then did some research in the internet, but did not find something helpful at first sight. But I found a thread where someone mentioned, that removing his graphics card and going to back to onboard one did help him. I then tried to use the other DP-port, but still black screen and after 45 seconds Windows-login. THEN I tried something different. Since my old Monitor (that I sold today) was still around and which had a VGA input, I connected the monitor via VGA (third option along two DPs) to the PC and I had the Dell-logo again on boot-up! Then I was able to reset the UEFI to default (and disabling secure-boot) and the boot with my new monitor showed the Dell-logo again. But for a brief moment there was a line visible on the top of the screen, quickly followed by the Dell-logo again. First I tried to enable legacy-boot, which again ended in no Dell-logo and black boot screen. After deactivating legacy-boot (via VGA) I disable the onboard NIC (don't know what that is) and it was all as it was before. Normal boot with Dell-logo and then the loading-circle followed by the Win10-login-screen. I'm just a standard user with very limited knowledge of the such things, but it seems to me, upon enabling secure boot and/or legacy boot the onboard video chip can only deliver analog signals or only use the VGA-port and not the DP-ports. Anyway, I managed to resolve this problem, which made me very happy! :Geeked: Maybe this info can help someone having a similar problem.

rcmink · Answer

had similar issue. found your solution... JOYJOYJOY! so, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

R. Daniels · Answer

Thanks to Speedstep, I had the same exact problem. Trying to upgrade to Windows 11, on my 7010. It's got a new 2 TB SSD in it. What I didn't realize when I enabled UEFI in the BIOS that the drive needed to be formatted for GUID Partition Table (GPT). I enabled Secure Boot, TPM and UEFI rebooted and there was nothing. The lights would come on, the HD was spinning so I knew the motherboard wasn't hosed or anything. The screen was black and monitor said, 'No Signal'. I tried some of everything to get the video going, removed the CMOS battery, set the jumpers to clear NVRAM and even installing a graphics card that I had hoped would disable the two DisplayPorts on board, it didn't. I then tried using an RGB to HDMI adapter to connect the RGB output on the pc to one of the available HDMI ports on my monitor. No luck, finally I had to grab my son's monitor which supports DP and RGB and BOOM!!! It worked, monitor had one line of text that simply displayed >>Start PXE over IPV4, which I know is a SCCM message for imaging HD's. I restarted hit F2 and I was back in the BIOS!! This post confirmed what I knew the problem to be. Thanks for the confirmation.

bradthetechnut · Answer

'This means windows 8 and 10 secure boot is NEVER an option EVER'  I have Win10 on my 7010 and Secure Boot is on.

DELL-Cares · Answer

Hello, I see you are looking for technical assistance. If you need our help, you can follow @dellcares and start a private/direct message with us and we will be happy to assist you.

JP IT Eng WPDE · Answer

no luck here, tried everything I have found.  was excited about the VGA fix but that's not working for me either.  LUCKILY, this 9010 is going in the trash, but I have another system, a Precision T7610 exhibiting the same issue and was hoping to glean some info to help that one

JP IT Eng WPDE · Answer

well moving the PSWD jumper to RTCRST pins worked on the T7610...at least something is going right today!

DELL-Cares · Answer

To provide the best of our support, start a private/direct message with us and we will be happy to help you.

DELL-Cares · Answer

hello, we are here to help you with this problem. Please follow and send a direct message @DellCares for assistance. I look forward to your message!

william-dell · Answer

Update the BIOS to A29 Update the BIOS to A29 I installed Windows 7 quickly to do this but you can update BIOS from a DOS prompt too. During Windows 10 installation, delete all partitions that Windows 7 created for a fresh install. Plug Windows 10 USB flash drive in. At the time I used Windows 10 22H2 Set all BIOS settings (F2) back to default, Apply & Restart. Good practice when updating any PC or laptop firmware/BIOS. Go back into BIOS (F2) before installing Windows 10 and turn Legacy Boot Off and Secure Boot  On. Video > Primary Display to Intel Graphics (see below for display issues picked up) Make sure flash drive is first bootable drive in UEFI. Apply & Restart to start Windows 10 installation. No need to disable NIC, (network interface card) > That's your LAN port. No  need to disable other MB components either. Display Issue Note that I did pick up a display issue after completing Windows 10 installation with a VGA monitor, shutting down and then restarting with a Display Port monitor. Windows 10 booted perfectly but display was garbled. Even switching between monitors while Windows 10 was booted up caused garbled display. Setting BIOS (F2) > Video > Primary Display to Intel Graphics (This option is added after BIOS update to v.A29) and then installing Windows 10 with Display Port monitor connected from the beginning, solved the display issue. Dell OptiPlex 7010 System BIOSVersion : A29, A29Dell OptiPlex 7010 System BIOS

Ashtonpoch · Answer

I did almost the exact same thing except I can't change it back because my optiplex 7040 mt motherboard doesn't have a VGA port what do i do?

vuzereus · Answer

I have the same problem, I have 2, both Optiplex 7010 MT, both exactly have same issue, does not send signal to monitor but the fans are running. It seems Optiplex 7010 have this issue with onboard display.

On both PC, I have tried using NVIDIA display cards but still didn't work. switching to VGA also did not work.

Have not try with Display port, no suitable monitor.

Any help appreciated,

vaneaph · Answer

i had same problem. If you 'Enable Legacy ROMs' under Genral>>Advanced Boot Options, the system refuses to output through the DisplayPort and only uses VGA instead. Thank you for your help!

user_e7049d · Answer

i have a blackscreen to i have A15 ver now A29 not working all install was all check ok install was good worked after restart blackscreen i have remove bios battery and all power cable off the motherboard for 1 hour then connect all cable back and battery back om mainboard and power on computer dont like to work hi is starting 4 times power on and off that was it do nothing ventilator works all and usb does not know the keyboard and screen not work usb not work i have licht in usb stick do not reading usb all failt what i can do ?

Optiplex Desktops

Update the BIOS to A29

Display Issue

Was this post helpful?