New Dell XPS 8500 won't boot

When you get a new computer, after the initial set up, make sure that you installed Window updates.  I just got the exchange system from Dell and this works for me.

Well done MCNIEMAN. I'd have done the same with my 2 new PCs  if Dell support hadn't sorted out my problem pronto. Personally I think Dell is on the slippery slope to nowhere. That's a shame as I've used their computers for more than 15yrs and generally speaking, I've found their systems to be reliable, once the inevitable system setup palaver and teething problems have been resolved, often at great length and frustration to the customer. There is simply no excuse whatsoever for sending out brand new PCs in the full knowledge of these boot problems. In my experience their service has always been 2nd rate and it's getting worse. The 1st time someone comes up with the a reliable system that works 1st (and 2nd time!) out of the box, supported by good service (like Amazon) Dell will be finished. They'll blame everything from the world recession to the competition when all the time the answer, which they choose to ignore, plain and simply lies under the're noses - viz. abysmal customer care.

this worked for me, thanks, after reading about this I feel lucky taking your instructions. day 2 so far so good.

thanks, xpssorry

I am dealing with the same problem. I just received my brand new xps 8500. I booted it up, played around on it for a while, and after installing updates and restarting, I got the black screen of death (after dell logo).

So, I removed the graphics card, and booted from the on-board graphics card, and it worked. I'm in windows 8 now. I'm wondering if this isn't some sort of driver compatibility problem. Possibly a bios problem, not recognizing the aftermarket graphics card?

Any help would be appreciated.

Maybe this can help some of you get on the right track. 

I am seriously thinking about returning this computer. How could Dell not have figured this problem out yet? How can they sell a product that doesn't work?

You may well ask? I posted some suggestions yesterday on what legal action dissatisfied customers could take. I received a swift reply (for the 1st time ever)  from Dell telling me that I was violating their terms of use and if I continued to make such posting, or if I posted their reply, then I "may lose my posting privileges". I guess the good news is that someone from Dell actually appears to read the contents of this forum. I simply don't understand why Dell takes the trouble to make this kind of response when they feel threatened, yet never take the time to avoid the adverse comments in the 1st place by providing timely or constructive advice, on what customers should do to resolve the technical problems we continue to have with their new PCs. A classic case of the big boys trying to  "bully"  the little man into submission. Looks like I may soon have to take my comments to another form that isn't controlled by Dell. The following news items might shed some light on why Dell treats customers like me, who have bought their systems for over 15yrs, so poorly. see - news.cnet.com/.../dell-in-talks-with-private-equity-firms-to-go-private-report-says

i bought a new xps 8500 last week.  it came with a 2TB hard drive.  i replace it with a sandisk SSD and proceeded to do a fresh install of win8.  BIOS version A09, boot secure enabled, UEFI enabled and load legacy OPROM disabled.  installation using the Dell Win8 DVD started fine.  it copied the files and reboot, then it rebooted again, and again.  after that it came up with a screen that said installation had failed, the computer failed to shutdown properly, need to re-install.  i went through this a few times and got the same result.  tried a retail win8 pro dvd.  similar result.  installation never finished.

with the bios set to legacy , it all works fine.  but i want boot secure and UEFI.

any idea?

yea...see above posts lol

I purchased a new XPS 8500 a month ago, tried to use it and got the Dell logo freeze before the end of the first day.  Returned that computer and received a replacement two days ago.  Set it up and used it one day before the same problem occurred on the second day of using the computer.  I tried all of the resets suggested on this thread using the F2 during reboot.  Nothing worked until I tried Tyler's suggestion.  That allowed the computer to start up and it appeared to be working until I was asked to enter my password.  Now, the computer is frozen again with my name and "Welcome" on the screen. The keyboard is not responsive.  If the keyboard is not Windows 8 compatible, how did it ever work at all?  If Windows 8 is a problem, how did the computer ever work at all?  This is my first Dell computer (well, 2nd if you count the one I returned) and likely my last if this does not get resolved.

I have continued working with the computer.  After the computer froze awaiting my password, I reconnected the network cable to the computer and restarted the computer.  It has been working since.  

I purchased my Dell XPS 8500 on 1/19/13 at Best Buy. I also had the same boot issues as most of you. Somtimes it would boot just fine and other times it would hang on the Dell Logo screen with the blue bar at the bottom. I found that if I held the enter key down, it would eventually show progress and boot up, however this was not the solution. I tried to get to the Boot Mode screen using F2, but I could not access it. I saw the post on the keyboard being the issue. So, I unplgged the keyboard and used an older USB keyboard and the computer re-started with no issues. I was then able to access the boot mode screen, however I did not have the option to select Legacy or UEFI. UEFI was the only option. I am thinking that the keyboard was the issue. The wired USB keyboard that came originally was item # 331-9341 (Dell KB213 Wired Multimedia Keyboard, US-English).  I will monitor for the next few days to be sure.

Hi rebelKind;  Dell sent two replacement keyboards that were compatible.  I've tried both, and they work and do not cause boot or online system slow downs.   The wireless keyboard is Dell part # 0X3KRC.  Dell shipped to me as part of keyboard mouse kit part # KM632.  The replacement wired USB keyboard they sent is Dell part # 0YJ4NY.  I suggest you open a help ticket with them & ask for replacement KB and Mouse.

Thank you, I called Dell and explained my dilemma. The tech had not heard of the keyboard issue. He asked me to install the latest BIOS, however I already have the latest BIOS. I was able to work on the computer all night loading my programs, updates and softwares with no boot issues. I must have re-started 50 times. I could not do this before. Dell will be calling me back in two days to check my progress. I will make sure to get replacements this time.

Where do the Dell support techs live? - not it would appear on the same planet as their long suffering customers. These ongoing & repetitive issues with the XPS8500 are plastered all over they're own forum and many other forums ion the Internet. Don't the Dell support staff read these? Only it would seem to threaten to take you off the forum if  they don't like what you have to say - see earlier post.  Yet another example of Dell's awful  post sale care (lack of).

Just thought I would post an update. I have now been using my XPS 8500 with no boot issues since 2/11/13 after swapping out the keyboard. Last night I decided to preform a little test before doing some work . Shut the PC down and plugged in the keyboard that came with the machine. PC powered up and I got the Dell screen with the blue bar that goes nowhere. I shut it down plugged in the older keyboard and worked for 4 hours with no boot issues, re-starting 3 or 4 times.