XPS 8930, flashing/black screen

Sorry. I forgot to change my signature to the new PC. I'll do that now.

Are you running Symantec/Norton software?  There was a recent post saying that Norton software was causing the screen to flash on that user's PC, and removing the software solved the problem.  (Sorry, don't remember what PC model that was, and it didn't turn up when I searched this forum.)  If you look on the Norton site, there are instructions to fix this problem for Win 10.

And you can always contact Dell's Unresolved Issues. 

Asus monitor is connected to the GTX 1070 via DP and Denon AVR is connected to the GTX 1070 via HDMI for audio. Sometimes they work perfect for hours and at other times there is constant screen flickering/blackout and audio is dropped and must be restarted.

The unresolved issues link doesn't work for me. It say unable to submit at this time.

No Norton. I'm running the McAfee LiveSafe that came with the PC.

Blaming Norton was just a thought... :Stickouttongue:

Which video output port are you using on the PC? And are you connecting the monitor to the add-in card, and not to an onboard video port?

You probably should contact Unresolved Issues. You'll need the Service Request (SR) number that was probably on the paperwork which came with the replacement video card and your Service Tag to fill out the form at the link I provided, above.

Hope they help solve the problem quickly...

The link I posted is for users in the US, and it works for me, but I haven't tried filing a report. So wait a while and try again...

1. Does the monitor have its own driver and did you install it on this new PC?
2. Does the AVR have its own driver and did you install it on this PC?
3. If you disconnect the AVR, does that solve the problem?
4. If you disconnect the AVR and connect the monitor by HDMI, does that solve the problem?

Have you tried changing some of the Additional Settings in the active Win 10 Power plan? Eg, disable:

• Hibernation
• Hybrid Sleep
• PCI Express Link State Management

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@spotteddog wrote:

 

1. Dell sent me a refurnished GTX 1070 to try. I sent the OEM GTX  1070 back and now things are worse with the refurbished.

2. Today when I booted, everything was a blur and text was unreadable. Rebooted and it seemed to be OK,

3. but the screen has been flashing every 30-40 seconds since then (all day).

4. I have replaced ALL my cables with new ones and tried 2 different other monitor. Nothing changed. 

5. I hesitate to call Dell support, because most of the time (I'm sorry, but it's the truth) I can't understand a word they say.

  

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1. Not likely that two GTX-1070's are bad.

2. Sounds like resolution was picked wrong or just not native-res.

3. They only time I've ever seen flashing (screen goes black for a second-or-two and then comes back on) is with Home Theater and AVR's. I think it's a HDCP re-sync (usually over HDMI). Stand-alone computers can do it too, but a PC doesn't have to be involved at all either. If it happens at all, it should only happen like once a month or something.

4. Unlikely 3 monitors are bad. Too bad you can't test all these monitors somewhere else.

5. With a machine of this age and your current situation, they are your best bet. They are the ones that authorize any actions by Dell.

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@spotteddog wrote:

Asus monitor is connected to the GTX 1070 via DP and Denon AVR is connected to the GTX 1070 via HDMI for audio. Sometimes they work perfect for hours and at other times there is constant screen flickering/blackout and audio is dropped and must be restarted.

 

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Denon AVR huh, this is starting to make sense now.

No, I do not think this is a supported-config (using HDMI for audio-only). As I imagine it, both the Asus and the Denon will be constantly fighting for control of video. HDCP-reSyncs or HDMI-Negotiations ... causing the flashing. Windows potentially gets confused sometimes and does strange things.

Try connecting ONLY Asus via DP ... does that work?

I know HomeTheater ... we can work on that later.

I've had this problem for 31 days now (Day one of receiving this PC). After reading hundreds of forums about using HDMI for audio, most people, once it's set up correctly, don't have a problem. Believe you me, I have done the research  long before coming here.

To paraphrase most of the research I have done: Since most new PCs no longer have optical out, the only way to get audio to the ARV is via HDMI. Thousands and thousands of people have no problem with this. As I said, I can go a day or two with everything working 100%, then, all of a sudden, all the flashing/blackouts start for a day or two.

I have, on occasion connected the monitor only with DP.  Of course, I can go a day or two without any flashing. Yes, I can have both the monitor and AVR connected with no problems for days. I have not found any configuration that "immediately" causes the flashing to start. If so, I could fix it.

This has become so frustrating that I am ready to go back to my old PC and eat the $ I spent for this PC and trash the Dell. Can't really spend much more time on this. Dell really should be able to help me, but they can't. I think if Dell puts out a PC with HDMI instead of optical out, they must support it. I've never known any PC owner who didn't integrate their PC into the home theater system.  

I do appreciate all the help I have been getting here. This seems to be my only lifeline.

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@spotteddog wrote:

1. I do appreciate all the help I have been getting here. This seems to be my only lifeline.

2. I've had this problem for 31 days now (Day one of receiving this PC). After reading hundreds of forums about using HDMI for audio, most people, once it's set up correctly, don't have a problem. Believe you me, I have done the research  long before coming here.

3. To paraphrase most of the research I have done: Since most new PCs no longer have optical out, the only way to get audio to the ARV is via HDMI. Thousands and thousands of people have no problem with this. As I said, I can go a day or two with everything working 100%, then, all of a sudden, all the flashing/blackouts start for a day or two.

4. I have, on occasion connected the monitor only with DP.  Of course, I can go a day or two without any flashing. Yes, I can have both the monitor and AVR connected with no problems for days. I have not found any configuration that "immediately" causes the flashing to start. If so, I could fix it.

5. This has become so frustrating that I am ready to go back to my old PC and eat the $ I spent for this PC and trash the Dell. Can't really spend much more time on this.

6. Dell really should be able to help me, but they can't. I think if Dell puts out a PC with HDMI instead of optical out, they must support it.

7. I've never known any PC owner who didn't integrate their PC into the home theater system.  

 

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1. No problem, glad to help.

2. But at the same time, you have to understand that this paragraph is mostly irrelevant to me. Can we just work the problem?

3. I don't know about all that. Aurora-R7 still has SPDIF, so it's strange that XPS-8930 does not (thanks for calling my attention to it). I agree that was a poor decision on Dell's part (however, it's clearly documented).

4. I wanted to know if connecting only a monitor to DisplayPort fixes everything 100%. I'm trying to verify the XPS-8930/GTX-1070 works 100% in some simple (normal config). If you keep pushing your agenda, I think it will be impossible for me to help you. Please don't make it so hard.

5. I understand your frustration. However, if you are in a hurry or giving-up ... please go ahead and decide now ... it will save-us both some time. :Smile:

6. Again ... I can't help with that. Maybe put the ranting in their own posts, addressed to Dell. I will reply to the others ... how's that?

7. Really? Huh, I know many who do not. If you mean you should be able to if you want to, I can agree with that (as long as computer has acceptable hardware/software for it).

I have to go work, but I'll post later with some re-config suggestions if you still want to chat about this.

I think Tesla covered everything I already asked and even more...

If you only changed those 3 power plan options today, you're going to have to wait a few days or maybe 1+ week to see if that solves the problem since you say the problem is intermittent.  So you'll have to do without the AVR connected to the PC for a while. And that would have been a good idea to start up a brand new PC because you want to make sure the basic hardware works before you get "fancy".

And I already asked you to disconnect the AVR and connect only the monitor, either to DP or HDMI. Yes, again you're going to have to use the PC for a while without the AVR. I wouldn't do this today because then you won't know if the power plan changes you just made or disconnecting the AVR will solve the problem.

So test the power plan settings now since that's already done, and if it doesn't help, disconnect the AVR, but leave those 3 power settings disabled, since they can be a nuisance anyway.

Sorry, but I know (for a fact) that this is a normal setup and there should be no problems (Nvidia verified this after working with them for a week on this problem). This isn't anything "fancy". It's what people do that don't have optical out. "They no longer include optical out in high end PCs". Use HDMI for audio".

I know that this is no different then having 2 monitors connected to a PC. The GPU sees the TV and AVR as a second monitor and sends the video to the TV and the audio to surround sound (the AVR). It shouldn't get "confused". I know (for a fact) if I turn off the TV the audio also stops. This is normal and not a problem. I understand that. Things can work 100% most of the time. 

I have already tried every possible combination of connections and can still get flicker. In fact right now I have the monitor connect to my PC with HDMI only and i'm getting flickers/black screens every 3-4 minutes. I have booted twice with the changes you recommended for the power settings. I have gone as much as  week with only DP or HDMI to the monitor. Still flickers

Thanks anyway.   

PS. How do I find out what GPUs are compatible with this PC? I think I'll start with new GPU and trash the OEM. I know a lot of GPUs can't work with Dell configurations.

Thanks again

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@spotteddog wrote:

They no longer include optical out in high end PCs.

 

 

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Not true.

Both the Area-51 and Aurora-R7 both still have SPDIF (and always have ... as have all the releases over the years).

I can only guess why Dell decided to exclude SPDIF from the XPS-8930, but likely reasons include:

a. To save money

b. To differentiate it from the Alienware line

c. Because not many users use SPDIF (or even know how to use it).

d. Because SPDIF can really only carry Digital Bit-Streamed audio. DVD-Quality PCM sound is limited to 2.1 channels.

e. Because HDMI is better. It can carry Bit-Stream as well as Multi-Channel PCM audio (I think up to 7.2 channels).

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@spotteddog wrote:

 

PS. How do I find out what GPUs are compatible with this PC? I think I'll start with new GPU and trash the OEM. I know a lot of GPUs can't work with Dell configurations.

 

The Dell-OEM GTX-1070 is a clone of the MSI Aero series. It's fully compatible. It's also sold in Aurora-R7 and current Area51 models. There are thousands of them out there in Dells and Alienwares.