M6600 Quadro 4000M/IPS: LCD dead - no backlight or image

3 year old M6600 with Nvidia Quadro 4000M and IPS LCD panel. Has been trouble free until this weekend. Now on power-on the laptop panel shows absolutely nothing at all No backlight, no image, no flicker, not even the BIOS splash screen etc. If I attach a VGA external monitor I can view the BIOS setup screen (F2) and Windows login/desktop. I cannot see the BIOS splash screen on the external monitor - it seems to take too long to exit standby mode. Within Windows when looking at Control Panel, Display, Screen Resolution, if the LCD panel is selected the resolution is grayed out. Almost like it is not connected.

Dell support had me run the pre-assessment test which passed. Dell support web site video test also passes. Laptop has current A15 BIOS which was updated ages ago. Currently they are sending out technician to replace the IPS panel. They wanted me to update the video drivers, but I did not do that since that would not fix the pre-Windows no BIOS video display issue.

Any suggestions for what else this could be? I'm wondering about a loose connector. Seems strange for display to be completely blank like it was un-powered. Nothing else seems to be wrong with the laptop.

Edit: Has *A15* BIOS

 

Also related to this in the M6600 A15 BIOS under Video is there supposed to be a Optimus enable/disable option? I just have the LCD brightness option. Much googling suggests disabling Optimus might help with some display issues, but the menu is missing. I don't recall if it ever used to be there in the first place.

Edit: Has *A15* BIOS

 

If it is IPS, there is no option for Optimus in the BIOS.

Good luck with the replacement and let us know the outcome.

P.S. I have the same BIOS version and IPS panel.

 

Thanks. It will probably be next week before the tech visit. It is 3 to 4 business days for the replacement panel to arrive.

 

Problem fixed - needed new panel.

Dell technician arrived yesterday morning. He first tried reseatting the connectors to the panel as they appeared loose, but that did not work. So he replaced the panel, and on power-up everything worked. Very quick and efficient process - call Mon evening, parts dispatched Tue pm, technician fixes problem Wed am.

 

Good to hear!