Windows 8/10 on Dell Vostro 3550 not working [SOLVED]

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On the 31th of May 2012 Microsoft released the latest ‘test’ version of Windows 8. My plan was to use Windows 8 from that version in production. I did this also with Windows Vista and Windows 7 and I never had any problems with both OS’s.

So I googled around and found several monitor related problems regarding my Dell Vostro 3550. In those topics the proposed solution was to install the Release Preview version of Windows 8. Unfortunately this was not the solution so I ended up with a laptop with a black screen after the ‘Windows 8 Splash Screen’.

I have tried all the possible solutions which I have found. See below a summary:

  • Tried the driver which is included in the Windows 8 Release Preview
  • Installed the Intel® HD Graphics Beta Driver for Windows 8* 64 – Version:15.28.0.64.2770
  • Updated the BIOS to the latest version
  • Solution from several Forum Topics around Dell Vostro 3550 and Intel HD3000

The only working solution is to disable the Intel HD3000 Display Adapter. The downside of this workaround is that the resolution of Windows 8 is dramatic. Based on above options I created or commented on some forum posts:

The disappointed part is that none of the them will take responsibility for this problem and are willing to resolve this.

Dell says we don´t support Beta releases of operating systems,
Intel says you have to go to Dell or ATI with your problems
Microsoft says go to Dell or Intel with your problems.

Bottom line: The problem will not be solved!

UPDATE 7-10-2012: Dell Released a new BIOS update which solved this problem!

16 thoughts on “Windows 8/10 on Dell Vostro 3550 not working [SOLVED]

  1. Hi,

    Dell has release a newer version of A11 which is a fix for this issue. New BIOS version for available for N5110 and Vostro 3550.

    Thnks,
    Cheers !!

  2. Martin

    This fix (the BIOS update) also works for display issues after Windows 10 update. Thanks a lot for sharing this!

    • Ghazi

      Hi Martin
      I have Dell Vostro 3550 running Windows 8.1 with no display issues.
      I am interested to update to Windows 10 however Microsoft recommends that I should wait until the this model is tested and verified by Dell and automatic update is not available.
      How did you install Windows 10 ? did you upgrade manually ? did you get any issues ?

      Thanks

  3. Peter

    I had this problem when upgrading to windows 10. Needed second monitor from vga port to view and uninstall display adapter. Then found this article and updated the bios. Worked like a charm

  4. MOHD IDRISH

    This fix (the BIOS update) also works for display issues after Windows 10 update. Thanks a lot for sharing this!

    • Arjan Vroege

      You have to connect your laptop to an external monitor and then update the BIOS.

      Regards, Arjan

  5. Kritische Noot

    Thanks! This saved me. Had to update Vostro 3350 and found the same problem. The latest Bios I found was A10, and it did the trick. Wouldn’t have thought of that before tying everything else! 🙂

  6. Well its 03/10/2016, official build running bios update 11 and monitor still black.. I need to ctrl + alt + del to be able to open task manager and use msconfig to run in safe mode to go back to windows 7… So dell and ms really doesn’t care

  7. Marcel

    before I upgrade from the BIOS I had A10, i now have A12. With the A10 it was all the problems with black screen. now i had updated the BIOS and now i tried again. Respons after waiting 2½ hours: something wents wrong error code 0x8000000a. can someone please help me fast thx.

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