Dell Inspiron Screen Turns Black During Windows 2000 Setup (240371)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
This article was previously published under Q240371

SYMPTOMS

When you run Windows Setup on your Dell Inspiron 3500, 7000, or 7500 laptop computer, your display may appear black, gray, or distorted. Also, although Setup appears to continue, you are unable to see anything on the screen.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if the display setting in the Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) of your Dell Inspiron laptop computer is set to SIMUL.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, update the BIOS on your Dell Inspiron to revision A13 or later. This BIOS is available on Dell's support Web page.

To work around this issue, change the display setting in your computer BIOS to LCD instead of SIMUL. Also, you may be able to connect an external monitor to the VGA port on the laptop. For information about changing this setting, refer to the documentation included with your computer.

MORE INFORMATION

The SIMUL mode permits use of both the LCD and an external monitor to display the appropriate output. During Windows Setup, the output is only directed to the external port, not the LCD screen.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/13/2003
Keywords:kbdisplay kbHardware kbprb kbsetup KB240371
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.