Member Avatar for guineu

This Dell laptop randomly dies with vertical alternating Blue/Black stripes on display. Power off button only solution. Powers back up and runs normally until it decides to die again. When it occurs while running MS Word, work is saved and available after restart. Usually use with battery pack plugged in to maintain charge. Machine is 2 months old with less than 30 hours use. Any ideas? Thanks.

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Short version: is right — this is almost certainly a hardware fault and the quickest, safest fix is to use the warranty. Before calling Dell, do a few noninvasive checks and collect evidence so the repair goes smoothly and you don't waste time on unnecessary troubleshooting.

Practical steps to do now (no case opening):

  • Back up important files immediately.
  • Record the failure with a phone or camera if possible (video of the screen and behavior is very persuasive).
  • Try an external monitor. If the external display is clean while the laptop screen shows stripes, the LCD/cable/inverter is implicated; if both show artifacts, the GPU/motherboard is more likely.
  • Reboot and watch the BIOS/boot screens. If the problem appears before Windows loads, it’s hardware, not a Windows driver.
  • Run Dell’s built‑in diagnostics (use the F12/bootstrap diagnostics on startup on most Dells) and note any error codes.
  • Test on AC only and battery only, and disconnect any peripherals; note whether the problem correlates with power state or attached devices.
  • Check Event Viewer for driver or display crashes just prior to the shutdown (useful to report to support).

What to tell Dell and what to request:

  • Have the service tag, purchase date, video/photo evidence, the diagnostic error codes (if any), and a concise timeline of occurrences and conditions (battery/AC, idle/under load, apps running).
  • Ask for warranty repair or advance exchange rather than DIY. Vertical stripes and sudden shutdowns are typical of failing display circuitry or GPU and usually require component replacement.

Caution: avoid opening the chassis or doing repairs that could void warranty. With a 2‑month machine, documented warranty service is the least risky and usually the fastest route to a lasting fix.

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Member Avatar for madoverclocker

if it's only 2 months old, you should be in touch with dell. it makes more sense to use the warranty as opposed to tearing into your computer and potentially voiding it.

Member Avatar for guineu

You're right Madoverclocker!

However, have you ever calculated the cost of waiting on hold to exercise the warranty?Even if you can afford the cost, who can afford the time? I figured I would probably have to reserve an afternoon to deal with Dell, but first thought I would check here on the outside chance that it might be software, or otherwise something I could handle.

Anyone else ever had this problem?

Thanks,
--Guineu


if it's only 2 months old, you should be in touch with dell. it makes more sense to use the warranty as opposed to tearing into your computer and potentially voiding it.

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