Ok, here’s a bizarre problem.

My previous PC crashed, so I bought a Dell Inspiron desktop. On the old computer, I had connected an HDMI cable from the PC to the TV, and I was able to mirror to the TV.

With the new PC, I connected it to the TV using the same HDMI cable, but the PC doesn’t detect the TV, although the TV ‘Inputs’ screen shows a blue icon for HDMI 3, I suppose indicating some kind of connection, but the TV screen displays a ‘No signal’ message. I would like some help with this issue, but there is a more immediate problem.

While trying to get the PC to mirror to the TV, I somehow messed up the displays. When I plug the HDMI cable into the PC, the PC monitor goes black and stays that way until I unplug the HDMI cable from the PC. My assumption is that the PC is using the TV as the primary display, even though nothing displays on the TV except the ‘No signal’ message.

Help!

Thanks,
Richard

What graphics is the Inspiron using? Intel or AMD? How did you get to the display setup?

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What graphics is the Inspiron using? Intel or AMD? How did you get to the display setup?

Intel HD Graphics 630.

How did i get to the display setup?
Win 10 Settings and
Intel HD Graphics Control Panel.
Neither of them detects another display.

Did you try after you shut down connect the HDMI then boot up again? What resolution is the tv?

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Did you try after you shut down connect the HDMI then boot up again? What resolution is the tv?

Yes, I have shut down and rebooted quite a few times, and every time I plug the HDMI cable into the PC, the PC monitor goes black. And when I unplug the HDMI cable, the PC monitor comes back. Pretty weird, huh?

The TV is a Sony 1080P.

And I want to repeat that everything is the same as it was with the previous computer: same input on the TV and the same HDMI cable. The only thing different is the new computer, so I'm starting to wonder about the HDMI port on the new computer; maybe it's defective, DOA out of the box. But I hate the idea of taking the PC back to BestBuy.

What I find especially puzzling is that when the PC is connected to the TV via the HDMI cable, the PC apparently tries to use the TV as the primary display, even though the PC says that it does not detect any display other than the Planar monitor.

What I find especially puzzling is that when the PC is connected to the TV via the HDMI cable, the PC apparently tries to use the TV as the primary display, even though the PC says that it does not detect any display other than the Planar monitor.

What happens if you boot with just the HDMI connected?

HDMI is a forever challenging world. You have a new card and probably an old cable. Try a new cable and get the highest rated one they have - I can't remember all the version numbers, just get a "high speed" one from a reputable source.

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HDMI is a forever challenging world. You have a new card and probably an old cable. Try a new cable and get the highest rated one they have - I can't remember all the version numbers, just get a "high speed" one from a reputable source.

Thanks for responding.

The cable I'm using and which worked with the previous computer is high quality, but perhaps you're right about the new card/old cable idea. If I can't find another solution, then perhaps I will get a new cable, but it will have to be 9 feet long because of the relative positions of the PC and the TV.

As I wrote to another commenter, right now, the more important issue is this one: every time I plug the HDMI cable into the PC, the PC monitor goes black. And when I unplug the HDMI cable, the PC monitor comes back. While the PC monitor is black, the only thing on the TV is the 'No signal' message. It appears that the PC tries to use the TV as the primary display, even though the PC says that it does not detect any display other than the Planar monitor.

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What happens if you boot with just the HDMI connected?

After I booted the PC, the PC monitor was black. When I unplugged the HDMI connector, the PC monitor came back on.

There are some HDMI cables that are directional. The ones I'm familiar with like that are the very thin ones and are marked. They are referred to as "Active HDMI", such as Monoprice's Redmere HDMI cables.

Is it possible you've got one and switched it end for end?

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There are some HDMI cables that are directional. The ones I'm familiar with like that are the very thin ones and are marked. They are referred to as "Active HDMI", such as Monoprice's Redmere HDMI cables.

Is it possible you've got one and switched it end for end?

Thanks for responding.

The cable I'm using is the same one that worked with the old PC, and it's still plugged into the TV; I haven't changed ends.

Right now, the more important issue is this one: every time I plug the HDMI cable into the PC, the PC monitor goes black. And when I unplug the HDMI cable, the PC monitor comes back. While the PC monitor is black, the only thing on the TV is the 'No signal' message. It appears that the PC tries to use the TV as the primary display, even though the PC says that it does not detect any display other than the Planar monitor.

It might very well be the cable you are using. I'm using a 32" Sharp TV with excellent results but I am also using a fairly new cable. My desktop is capable of everything short of true 4K and all aspect ratios match nicely.

Try reversing the cable. :o

Jim.

First, I want to say a huge THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU to everyone who responded to my plea for help.

And I would like to especially thank Bob G and GreyFalcon for their suggestion about using a new HDMI cable, a suggestion which I immediately dismissed because it was too simple, and besides, the cable I was using had worked perfectly with the previous computer.

This morning, after spending many hours investigating complex solutions, I decided, what the heck, I have some brand new HDMI cables lying around, so why not try one of them. It worked!

Once again, I was reminded of Occam’s Razor: “the stated principle that, all things being equal, the simplest explanation is usually the correct one.”

Another old saying that I need to remember: “When you hear hoofbeats, think horses, not zebras.”