External monitor black during boot/only picks up Windows


antares

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Hi, I have a Dell XPS 17 9710 connected to a Dell UP2720Q external monitor via a Thunderbolt cable. The XPS remains powered on with the lid closed and with the UP2720Q displaying Windows. The issue is that whenever I boot the monitor does not detect a thunderbolt signal coming from the XPS and briefly enters standby mode until Windows desktop shows up without porblems. So whenever I need to enter BIOS or any other pre Windows activity (booting from an external USB drive), I am forced to use the XPS internal display. Is there a way to have the external monitor pick up the thunderbolt signal at all times during boot? I explored BIOS setting and enabled an option called "Allow thunderbolt boot devices" or something like that without success. Thanks
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell
    CPU
    Intel i7
    Memory
    32GB
If you want to see display messages on an external monitor at BIOS level you have to press a key combination after bios loads. On my Dell I tap f2 for 5 or 6 sec at boot which puts the computer into bios even though I can't see it. I then hit FN+F1 and the bios screen shows on external monitor. If that key combination doesn't work try just F1.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.3296
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1tb Solidigm m.2 +256gb ssd+512 gb usb m.2 sata
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 22H2 19045.3930
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 9020
    CPU
    i7-4770
    Memory
    24 gb
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    256 gb Toshiba BG4 M.2 NVE SSB and 1 tb hdd
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell factory
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Internet Speed
    still not telling
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
Is there a way to have the external monitor pick up the thunderbolt signal at all times during boot? I explored BIOS setting and enabled an option called "Allow thunderbolt boot devices" or something like that without success. Thanks
Have you tried updating the drivers from Dell?
There are some very new drivers released for the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 (December 2021) and Thunderbolt 4 port controller (November 2021).

Download from this page. Better still click on the "Let Dell automatically find drivers for your XPS 17 9710" :

(-- The page link I have provided you is set to UK. You may need to change your location in the top right corner of the webpage to your region --)
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 5 5600
    Motherboard
    MSI B550-A Pro
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Sapphire Radeon RX 6500XT (8 GB version)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    BenQ Mobuiz EX2710Q QHD, Iiyama ProLite X23377HDS
    Hard Drives
    MSI Spatium M461 4TB
  • Operating System
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer A114
    CPU
    Intel Celeron N4020
Have you tried updating the drivers from Dell?
Yes, all my drivers are updated. But drivers are loaded with Windows, so AFAIK they have no effect during POST. And my issue is that the monitor is black during POST.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell
    CPU
    Intel i7
    Memory
    32GB
This is not a driver issue. It is by design. The bios for your motherboard may use a different key combination to make the switch at bios level.
 
Last edited:

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.3296
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1tb Solidigm m.2 +256gb ssd+512 gb usb m.2 sata
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 22H2 19045.3930
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 9020
    CPU
    i7-4770
    Memory
    24 gb
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    256 gb Toshiba BG4 M.2 NVE SSB and 1 tb hdd
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell factory
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Internet Speed
    still not telling
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
Yes, all my drivers are updated. But drivers are loaded with Windows, so AFAIK they have no effect during POST. And my issue is that the monitor is black during POST.


Have you tried each of the 4 TB ports?

I ahve a monitor and a TV hooked to my RTX 2070.
In order for me to see "both" the BIOS splash screen and the Windows loading screen on my monitor, I have to use one specific DP connector on my vid card (it has 3).
If I use either of the other DP connectors for the monitor, I will only see the Windows loading screen, on the monitor.
The BIOS splash screen will show on the TV (HDMI).

The point here is that not all connectors from a graphics part, are set to the same priorities.



If I hook the DELL monitor to either of the DP connectors marked with BLUE dot, my BIOS splash screen will show on the TV.
When the DELL is hooked to the GREEN DP, then I will see both the BIOS screen and the Windows loading screen ON the DELL monitor.

Image1.png





In other words... I would imagine that not all your TB ports behave the same way.
I looked up the XPS 17 specs... it said this...

Ports
4 Thunderbolt™ 4 ports


It could be that none of them will give you the BIOS splash screen on your external monitor.
But I would make sure to check ALL of them.
 
Last edited:

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  • OS
    Win 11 Home ♦♦♦22631.3374 ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦23H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Built by Ghot® [May 2020]
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
    Motherboard
    Asus Pro WS X570-ACE (BIOS 4702)
    Memory
    G.Skill (F4-3200C14D-16GTZKW)
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA RTX 2070 (08G-P4-2171-KR)
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC1220P / ALC S1220A
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U3011 30"
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1600
    Hard Drives
    2x Samsung 860 EVO 500GB,
    WD 4TB Black FZBX - SATA III,
    WD 8TB Black FZBX - SATA III,
    DRW-24B1ST CD/DVD Burner
    PSU
    PC Power & Cooling 750W Quad EPS12V
    Case
    Cooler Master ATCS 840 Tower
    Cooling
    CM Hyper 212 EVO (push/pull)
    Keyboard
    Ducky DK9008 Shine II Blue LED
    Mouse
    Logitech Optical M-100
    Internet Speed
    300/300
    Browser
    Firefox (latest)
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender Internet Security
    Other Info
    Speakers: Klipsch Pro Media 2.1
  • Operating System
    Windows XP Pro 32bit w/SP3
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Built by Ghot® (not in use)
    CPU
    AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ (OC'd @ 3.2Ghz)
    Motherboard
    ASUS M2N32-SLI Deluxe Wireless Edition
    Memory
    TWIN2X2048-6400C4DHX (2 x 1GB, DDR2 800)
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA 256-P2-N758-TR GeForce 8600GT SSC
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ViewSonic G90FB Black 19" Professional (CRT)
    Screen Resolution
    up to 2048 x 1536
    Hard Drives
    WD 36GB 10,000rpm Raptor SATA
    Seagate 80GB 7200rpm SATA
    Lite-On LTR-52246S CD/RW
    Lite-On LH-18A1P CD/DVD Burner
    PSU
    PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750 Quad EPS12V
    Case
    Generic Beige case, 80mm fans
    Cooling
    ZALMAN 9500A 92mm CPU Cooler
    Mouse
    Logitech Optical M-BT96a
    Keyboard
    Logitech Classic Keybooard 200
    Internet Speed
    300/300
    Browser
    Firefox 3.x ??
    Antivirus
    Symantec (Norton)
    Other Info
    Still assembled, still runs. Haven't turned it on for 13 years?
And my issue is that the monitor is black during POST.
Just a tip - is the display USB thunderbolt connection connected to the left-hand side of the Dell XPS 17 9710? According to Dell, the XPS 17 9710 gives priority to devices plugged onto the left-hand side and it is recommended to plug displays into the left ports. Check your cabling and let us know how you get on.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 5 5600
    Motherboard
    MSI B550-A Pro
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Sapphire Radeon RX 6500XT (8 GB version)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    BenQ Mobuiz EX2710Q QHD, Iiyama ProLite X23377HDS
    Hard Drives
    MSI Spatium M461 4TB
  • Operating System
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer A114
    CPU
    Intel Celeron N4020
Hi Ghot and iko, according to the User Guide, Dell recommends connecting the external monitor's thunderbolt cable to the left hand side ports of the laptop, and that's exactly how I connected the monitor to my XPS 9710, using the left-hand side port. I did not test the other 3 thunderbolt ports, but I would assume that all of them would behave the same way during POST, i.e., not delivering any signal. I can surely test that too, but thing as they are I think that the best solution would be a BIOS firmware that would include a setting to unlock thunderbolt during POST.
Glasskuter, will surely try pressing either F1 or F4 after F2, but the problem here is that my external keyboard/mouse is also connected to the thunderbolt port, and if there's no signal coming out from any thunderbolt port during POST that would also mean that not only the external monitor but the external keyboard is also dead during POST
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell
    CPU
    Intel i7
    Memory
    32GB
either F1 or F4 after F2
No, it's a combination of keys FN+F1 AFTER the bios has had time to load. I found that solution on the Dell forum. It was also suggested if that key combination did not work, to try just F1. Since the splash screen to enter bios appears for such a short time frame (and you can't see it) start tapping F2 5 or 6 times as soon as you hit the power button.
The user guide for XPS shows the first external monitor on the BACK left side port.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.3296
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1tb Solidigm m.2 +256gb ssd+512 gb usb m.2 sata
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 22H2 19045.3930
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 9020
    CPU
    i7-4770
    Memory
    24 gb
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    256 gb Toshiba BG4 M.2 NVE SSB and 1 tb hdd
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell factory
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Internet Speed
    still not telling
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
if there's no signal coming out from any thunderbolt port during POST that would also mean that not only the external monitor but the external keyboard is also dead during POST
Are you using an external mouse and keyboard? The LED lights on these devices should flash on and off during POST. If not try disconnecting them and using the internal keyboard and mouse.
Also, what is the make/model of USB docking station you are using?
Can you get external display working after the Boot sequence?
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 5 5600
    Motherboard
    MSI B550-A Pro
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Sapphire Radeon RX 6500XT (8 GB version)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    BenQ Mobuiz EX2710Q QHD, Iiyama ProLite X23377HDS
    Hard Drives
    MSI Spatium M461 4TB
  • Operating System
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer A114
    CPU
    Intel Celeron N4020
iko, I don't have any USB docking station. My setup is very simple: external monitor directly connected to the XPS via thunderbolt, as well as external mouse and keyboard (Logitech USB unified receiver plugged in to a USBC to USB2 adapter)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell
    CPU
    Intel i7
    Memory
    32GB
iko, I don't have any USB docking station. My setup is very simple: external monitor directly connected to the XPS via thunderbolt, as well as external mouse and keyboard (Logitech USB unified receiver plugged in to a USBC to USB2 adapter)
Are you using the cable supplied by Dell, to connect the monitor?
Make sure the thunderbolt cable is plugged into the 90W connection on the monitor (ie, not the 15W).
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 5 5600
    Motherboard
    MSI B550-A Pro
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Sapphire Radeon RX 6500XT (8 GB version)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    BenQ Mobuiz EX2710Q QHD, Iiyama ProLite X23377HDS
    Hard Drives
    MSI Spatium M461 4TB
  • Operating System
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer A114
    CPU
    Intel Celeron N4020
Are you using the cable supplied by Dell, to connect the monitor?
Make sure the thunderbolt cable is plugged into the 90W connection on the monitor (ie, not the 15W).
Yes of course, I'm following the monitor's instructions to the letter.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell
    CPU
    Intel i7
    Memory
    32GB

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