XPS 8940, Diagnostics: Video Controller - No Video Controller Detected

If the processor is F series, it's the video card issue.

If the processor is with integrated graphics, it's the motherboard.

That error code points to the Nvidia card?

More likely the card is still 'enabled' or it is not in right?

The above is from Dell's error list at https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000181167/reference-table-of-epsa-psa-error-codes-and-troubleshooting-steps-2000-0nnn-series

For starters, power off, unplug PC from wall and press/hold power button for ~15 sec.

Open case and carefully remove the video card and then reinstall it in the x16 slot. Then make sure the PCI-e power cable from the PSU is correctly connected to the card. 

This might be a good time to replace the motherboard battery too. 

1. Remove motherboard battery (see Service Manual for details)
2. Press/hold power button for ~30 sec
3. Install fresh CR2032 3-volt coin cell battery
4. Close up and connect monitor to video card, and mouse and keyboard to USB
5. Boot and test...

I have an old Dell Precision T5500 laying around that installed the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060ti into, and that system booted up find with it, and is displaying video without issue.  I updated the drivers on that system without any errors.

So, I'm going to assume the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060ti is not the issue.

I attempted to boot the Dell XPS 8940 using the onboard video, and I get no output.

I pulled both Memory sticks and powered, thinking I'd at least get some sort of error beeps, I heard nothing.

I re-installed the Memory, powered back up, fans run for a minute, and then system powers down on it's own.

Can only assume the CPU and Memory are not the issue, and I should consider replacing the Motherboard?

@sjtsnix​

I attempted to boot the Dell XPS 8940 using the onboard video, and I get no output.

Did you see the Dell Logo?

Did the PC actually 'boot' but you didn't see it (but hear the boot up sound)?

Were the Monitor and 8940 connected properly? That is the same HDMI/DP ports as before? Since the RTX was removed, this could be the cased IF you have an F series CPU... it doesn't have Video support.

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You will need a discrete GPU. All Intel CPUs with 'F' at the end means it does not have an integrated GPU in its silicon, or the GPU had defects so they disabled it.

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So, what CPU do you have?

Possible the cause of the error IF the RTX was not seated fully or a connector was loose?

I'd replace the motherboard battery, if nothing else than to rule it out.  Otherwise, your testing may not give believable results...

BTW: Would Dell put plastic covers over the onboard Intel Graphics ports if an "F" CPU is installed..? 

@ispalten​ Thank you for your reply.

@sjtsnix​

I attempted to boot the Dell XPS 8940 using the onboard video, and I get no output.

Did you see the Dell Logo?

No, the Dell Logo never appears, so I believe I have a No Post/No Video scenario occurring.

Did the PC actually 'boot' but you didn't see it (but hear the boot up sound)?

No boot up sound, but, while connected to the onboard HDMI or the onboard Displayport (verifying connection are fully seated), the system powers on, the keyboard numlock Led turns on/off then on solid blue and stays on, as does the Dell Mouse's red LED light.  the system stayed powered up for just over a minute, then powered down on it's own.  Tapping on the Numlock key on the keyboard does cycle the Numlocks led off and on. 

I power cycled the PC while typing this up, and it's has remained powered on for for 5 minutes now, and is still powered on.

Were the Monitor and 8940 connected properly? That is the same HDMI/DP ports as before?

For the current testing, the Nvidia Card has been removed (and is running without issue in a Dell Precision T5500).  All test are occurring with the onboard HDMI port or onboard display Port.

Since the RTX was removed, this could be the cased IF you have an F series CPU... it doesn't have Video support.

This Dell XPS 8940 DID experience an issue, where Dell sent a tech out to resolve that issue (system would not boot, i don't' recall the specifics), and the Tech was unable to resolve the issue), resulting in this system being shipped to Dell for a warranty repair.  I don't recall what parts where replaced by Dell, and shipped back to me.

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You will need a discrete GPU. All Intel CPUs with 'F' at the end means it does not have an integrated GPU in its silicon, or the GPU had defects so they disabled it.

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So, what CPU do you have?

i7-11700F

I'm thinking that it originally came with the i7-11700 (NON F) model, and when it was repaired under warranty by Dell, they did a swap on me!   I know for a fact that I pulled the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060ti at one point (before that warranty repair was needed) and was able to get video out of the onboard DisplayPort!

I did a quick search on ebay for system equivalent to mine, and they all have CPU's without the F at the end of the CPU model.

Possible the cause of the error IF the RTX was not seated fully or a connector was loose?

I've reseated everything in the XPS 8940

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UPDATE to above:

I was replying to this message earlier today, and had just not posted it yet.

I am actually up and running again, and nothing logical makes sense as to why the system is booting properly now.

I tried an older low end ATI Video card at one point, and finally was able to get video out and boot to a Hiren's Boot USB drive.

I rebooted to BIOS without issue, but now was getting a Windows BSOD stating of "Inaccessible Boot Device" (The Samsung SSD 990 Pro 2TB nvme drive is the main boot drive).  Having reset the BIOS at least once in an attempt to reset all settings to default, I wasn't sure if Sata Mode was in Raid or AHCI Mode.  I tried both, and neither resulted in being able to boot the system.

The last thing I did that appears to have got to a booting system, was F12 at bootup, selected the "last known good configuration" at that Dell startup screen.

I installed the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060ti, and at first it did not give me video out.  I reseated the card, and magically, I had video out, and magically, I booted to Windows 11, as if nothing described above, had ever occurred......

Go figure.

What I have learned, is it appears that Dell Swapped my Intel i7-11700 CPU for a i7-11700F cpu when it was sent in for a warranty Repair.

Question is, if that is what happen, how do I get Dell to make this right?  I want the i7-11700 CPU back.

Stephen

@sjtsnix​

What I have learned, is it appears that Dell Swapped my Intel i7-11700 CPU for a i7-11700F cpu when it was sent in for a warranty Repair.

Question is, if that is what happen, how do I get Dell to make this right?  I want the i7-11700 CPU back.

Stephen

Well, I'd contact Dell Support. I'd also check your order to verify. You can even do this on-line.  After you've logged into Support, you can go here, https://www.dell.com/support/mps/en-us/myproducts and find your 8940 in the list and click on the link for Service Tag of the 8940. You'll see a page like this:

Click on the "Review Specifications". There are 2 choices, the shipped and present configuration. Scroll down on each and you can see in the list the CPU's. If different complain to support.

Now, I did 'discovered' when 'playing' with both types of video out, that it seems BOTH the HD750 Intel video card (model on the i7 non-F CPU's) actually would use the RTX card's port. That is IF I disabled the RTX the video port on the RTX did output the HD750. Found it by 'accident' when I was having the lock ups via the Nvidia card. I was switching back and forth between the RTX and HD750 and one time I forgot to move the video cable. I had disabled the RTX though, and I was running under the HD750, could easily tell and I have a high resolution 32 inch display... So I went back to the RTX enabling it (via device manager) and the display came back to normal. Sort of surprised I didn't have to remove the RTX?

Doesn't explain you having the output of the HD750 though, unless Dell switched the CPU... something you might actually want if the RTX card is working fine? Especially if you want to 'boost' the system CPU and like its higher speed.

Another 'test' is the BIOS page for Video... if you have the on-board you'd get a choice of which to use, and either that page would not even be presented or show only the RTX card if you have the F CPU?

I'd still replace the motherboard battery, even if it's working now...

Could there be an issue with overheating?  If the heat sink is loose and/or the thermal paste dried out and separated, PC might boot and quickly shut off to prevent CPU from getting fried...

As for having an F or "non-F" CPU, it's going to be hard to prove Dell made the swap vs you doing it. Even possible they actually just swapped in a whole motherboard which already had an F CPU  installed on it.

@RoHe​ 

Proof would be there on the link I posted, original and as now listings.

Even then, Dell's usual 'replacement' doesn't guarantee new, only the same or better, and once depending on PC usage might think an F is better, but it isn't the same for someone without a Discrete card...

They did offer F CPU's at an extra cost when buying.