No video on external monitor prior to Windows start screen using DVI, HDMI or DisplayPort connections

Article Summary: This article provides information on Latitude E3 Series discrete video option systems. No video on external monitor using DVI, HDMI or DisplayPort connections. prior to Windows start screen.

Issue

No video seen on external monitor before Windows starts on Latitude E3 systems including E6420 and E6520 with the cover closed and a DVI, HDMI, or DisplayPort external monitor connected.

Note: This article is only in relation to the aforementioned series of notebooks using external monitor connections.

Solution

This is expected behavior based on the design of the system.

During system start-up, Intel is the only active vBIOS, and cannot drive the external DVI, HDMI or Display port displays.

Workaround:

To view the pre-Windows screens open the system lid to display information, or alternatively plug in a VGA external monitor. As soon as the operating system is loaded the external DVI,HDMI and DisplayPort monitors will work fine.

Note: For further assistance on video issues other than the symptoms listed above please see:

• Links to articles that will help to Troubleshoot Video Issues on your Dell Laptop Computer

If your system is failing to power on properly and is displaying no video onscreen please refer to article:

• Resolve No Power, No POST, No Boot or No Video issues with your Dell Computer