Check the Monitor

• If your monitor screen is completely black, it's possible the monitor itself is experiencing problems. In desktop systems, check the connector cable and make sure the monitor is on and the brightness setting is correct. Laptop LCD screens may look black if the inverter board or backlight bulb fail, but still offer a very faint image on the screen. Connect a second monitor to check for any display images. If the experimental monitor has a display, your current monitor is faulty and requires repair or replacement.
  
  

Watch for Error Message

• In some cases, the computer will alert you to a problem within the system by way of an error message displayed on-screen. Make note of this error message and visit Dell's support Web page for a possible solution. An error message usually appears if necessary startup files are missing or corrupt, or if the self-diagnostic tests uncover hardware failure.
  
  

Run Diagnostics

• Dell offers a more in-depth diagnostics through its Pre-Boot System Assessment Diagnostics program. To begin this diagnostic program, restart the computer and press the “F12” key when you see the Dell logo on-screen. On the One-Time Boot Menu, press the “Down” arrow key to select “Diagnostics” and press “Enter.” It will take approximately five minutes for the program to complete. Note any error codes it reports and refer to Dell's support site to find the meaning and suggested fix.
  
  

Check Hardware

• Newly installed hardware components may interfere with the proper boot of Windows. Disconnect any recently added hardware accessories and reboot the computer. Currently installed hardware may be conflicting with each other as well, causing this boot problem. Disconnect as many hardware components as possible, including printers, scanners and media card readers and restart the computer.
  
  

Run Startup Repair

• When all else fails, you can try running Startup Repair to correct missing or damaged operating system files. For computers with separate installation discs, reboot the computer with the disc in the drive. When the computer restarts, you will be prompted to start Windows from the disc and select your language. Choose “Repair Your Computer” and the operating system, then click “Next.” Select “Startup Repair” to begin the process. For computers with the recovery files installed, reboot the computer and press the “F8” key before the Windows logo appears. Select the “Repair Your Computer” option on the Advanced Boot Options screen.