Blank screen

[SmallTownGirl]

I have a Dell laptop. This morning when I switched it on, I got the usual Dell logo for a few seconds and then the screen went blank and has stayed blank.

Does this mean it's dead?

STG

[Biggles50]

Have a look at what is the key combination to boot the Laptop into Safe Mode.

If that works and you get a working display you are likely to have a Driver File issue.

With it working do copy any important files to a portable hard drive or USB memory stick.

With a Laptop there is often a hidden partition on its hard drive where a recovery file exists, this can be used to restore the system to a working condition.

If all else fails then contacting Dell Support may achieve help (but don’t hold your breath if it is a few years old).

Sorry if it is ifs and buts but I cannot be more specific.

[SmallTownGirl]

Have a look at what is the key combination to boot the Laptop into Safe Mode.

If that works and you get a working display you are likely to have a Driver File issue.

With it working do copy any important files to a portable hard drive or USB memory stick.

With a Laptop there is often a hidden partition on its hard drive where a recovery file exists, this can be used to restore the system to a working condition.

If all else fails then contacting Dell Support may achieve help (but don’t hold your breath if it is a few years old).

Sorry if it is ifs and buts but I cannot be more specific.

The safe mode thing didn't work, but you gave me the confidence to Google. That took me to some Dell help and somehow I have managed to get my screen working again. Am busy doing backups now!

Fingers crossed it behaves itself now.

Thank you sooooo much.

[PrawnCocktail]

Dell Support are excellent, helped me out of a hole several times. Which is one of the reasons I buy Dell.

I always buy it with their on-site support package. It costs, but is worth it. I've had Dell technicians here twice, replacing battery and touchpad, and watched them take over my screen remotely to run software repairs several times, including just this last Sunday.

I also have an on-line backup running (in addition to doing a manual back-up from time to time onto a memory stick), which backs up automatically every day. I have to pay for it, bacause it's backing up a lot of stuff, but again worth it. The only snag I've found is that Lloyds Bank refused to process the payments (in dollars), had to switch to Nationwide.  I can even access my files through their app on my iPad!

[Biggles50]

Great news.