Hi brian1684,

Please let me know the Operating system installed on your computer.

There is a possibility that either the Operating system or video card might have gone bad. You can try connecting your computer with an external monitor when it goes blank and see if it exhibits the same behavior.

Another step you can try is to use in safe mode and see if the issue persists. You can check system in safe mode by following steps below:

• Restart the computer.
• Tap the F8 key on the keyboard during the boot process until you see the Windows Advanced Options Menu on the screen.
• Select “Safe Mode with Networking” from the menu using the arrow keys on the keyboard and then press the key.
• Select the user account at the log in screen. 
• Check if the same issue persists.

Note: Steps applicable for WIndows XP, Vista and 7.

Another step you can try is to uninstall and re install the drivers from 'Device manager':  

• Click on “Start” and right click on “Computer”.
• Click on “Manage”.
• Click on “Device Manager”.
• Under “Display adapters”, you will find the video driver listed.
• Right click on it and click on “uninstall”. (Check and make a note of the driver installed on your system and re-install the driver from the below steps accordingly).
• Check the box to delete the software.
• Restart your system and click on the below link: http://dell.to/QjjZDA
• Enter the Service Tag of your system and select the operating system. 
• You will find the video driver under “Video”. 
• Click on the video driver depending on the video card your system has. (Install the same video driver which you uninstalled from “Device Manager”. 
• Click on “Download File”. 
• Select “For Single File Download via Browser”. 
• Click on “Download Now”. 
• Save the driver on your desktop. 
• Once the driver is saved on desktop, right click on it and select “Run as administrator”. 
• Install the video driver by following the on screen instructions and restart your computer. 

Please share the findings.

Have tried all of that, im pretty sure its not the operating system because, it boots up fine, and works for a while, some times days, then it will just all the sudden do the colored lines, kind of like snow on a television, just lines and colored, if that makes since. It seems like it always happens when i pick it up, or move it, or just barely bump it. Im wondering if the video card is not loose or something.

Hi brian1684,

You can try to connect an external monitor when you get colored lines and see if the issue persists on external monitor. If the external monitor works without any issues it might be an issue with LCD cable. If the same issue appears on external monitor, it might be issue with video drivers.  

If the issue persists, you can private message me the Service Tag of computer. I have added you as a friend. Please accept my friend request by clicking on my name highlighted in blue and then click on “Friends” tab at the top and then click on “Request to Review” and finally click on “Accept” button.

I am sending you a private message as well. Click on “Inbox” to respond to the message and provide system’s Service Tag and contact details so I may access your system records and check for further course of action. You could also click on Start Conversation to send a private message.

Please share the findings. 

Check this link, it has a photo of what it looks like.

en.community.dell.com/.../19487954.aspx

I am having the same issue on my 17R Special Edition that I purchased December 2012.  What was the resolution to this issue?

Thanks,

Phil

I was having this problem on both of my new inspiron 5720s, some how got one of them to stop doing it, not real sure what fixed it, but the other one, my wifes, is still messed up. Sounds like on the forum you linked to that dell knows there is a problem with the 5720s but they are still making me jump through all the hoops to get it taken care of.

Hi brian1684,

Did you try updating the video drivers?

Do you face the same issue with external monitor?

If you are facing the same issue on external monitor after updating video drivers, you may private message me the service tag of computer. You may send me the system information via private message (click my username and then click Start Conversation).

Awaiting your response. 

I'm having the same problem.  Called into Dell once sat for 45 minutes while they ran their diagnostics. (no problem found).  I sent it in to them.  They replaced/repaired the memory.  Got it back still has same problem.  Sat for another 45 minutes while they ran diagnostics.  Still has problem.  

I'm not technically savvy so I haven't added/changed anything.  Silly me I just expect it to work.


Update 04/19/13
So I sent mylaptop in a second time.  And they didn't fix it this time either.  I called again and they went through all the appologies again.  Oh and they offered an extended warrenty for like$200.  Wh y the heck would I buy an extended warrenty when the current warrenty is worthless!  I wasted my money buying this piece of junk the way it is.

DO NOT BUY A DELL COMPUTER. DO NOT BUY A DELL COMPUTER. DO NOT BUY A DELL COMPUTER.  DO NOT BUY A DELL COMPUTER.

Update 05/13/2013

I send my laptop in for the third time on 4/27.  They still have it.  I did get a call from a manager.  He was nice and sympathetic and said they would thoroughly test it before returning it.  I've heard that line before.

Excuse me for being skeptical but I think they are just hanging onto it until closer to when my warranty ends in June.  Then when it breaks again they will say it will cost $300 to fix something they SHOULD have fixed one of the other THREE TIMES they had it.

When I do get it back I am going to call them and get the warranty extended free of change to cover the 8 weeks (so far) that they have had it for repair.

It's bad and good to know it isn't just our laptop that's doing this, but certainly aggravating to know there is no known problem or solution.  Guess I'll skip the fight with Dell to try to get it fixed, since it seems to do no good.  Sometimes our screen just goes white, also. For either the white or multi-colored lined/snow screen we have to shut it off with the on-off button, which I don't think is good for the hard drive's longevity.  One time we had to remove the battery to get it to turn off.  I  have no confidence that this computer will last, when I splurged to get one with memory, processor, and hard drive size that was supposed to make it one we wouldn't out grow for years. The Staples guy did warn me that Dell is not the best at standing behind their products.

Any solution?  Just got my 17R SE refurb (hahahahaha) and it's doing this + frag lines in video sometimes.

Plus double typing some keys on LH side of keyboard.

Of course the Lenovo and Acer I ordered before this one did the same thing with the keyboard.

yes i'm having the same problem as well.

very pretty colors I agree, but not fun to have to shut down and restart every time

I have noticed it only seems to happen when it gets bumped ever so slightly or when I set it down on a hard surface.

They have replaced my LCD - didn't fix it. Next is another LCD and motherboard.

I'll post with results.

They came and replaced the mother board and LCD panel.  Now the panel doesn't work AND it won't charge.

BOLLOCKS

Have they offered to let you buy an extended warranty yet?  Cuz they do such a great job fixing a problem under the regular one. (yes that's sarcasm)
Mine has gotten worse.  I keep my laptop on a board to make sure I'm not twisting anything,  It's gone to lines when I've walked away from it.  It's such a  Substitute character removed as per TOU> and waste of money.  I won't use it for anything important. I'm afraid I'll lose everything at any time.