hey SpockBert,

RE:
Surprised anyone remembers me though.
Isn't your name carved on the lounge wall somewhere?

...about your problem, check your RAM as well, it might just be a faulty memory problem

...but a popping noise and then grey sounds like it could also possibly be a backlight problem.

If you can try to attach an external monitor you can check that easy enough. If it is your laptop screen, it should be fine on an external monitor.

Is your warranty over? If not, don't open it up, just contact Dell.

davidp