Question Computer will not boot with display plugged in

[raidtech]

I am refurbing a factory spec Dell Inspiron 3487. When powering it on, it will not boot if a display cable is plugged in. I have tried both a VGA and an HDMI cord. The fans spin for half a second and then it stops. If I unplug the display and power it on, the computer acts like it boots. Any thoughts?

 

[Ralston18]

"Looks like it boots" - any LED's, beeps?

Are you able to access BIOS? If so, configure POST to be as verbose as possible and thus report what is happening (or not happening) during the boot process.

Dell Inspiron 3487 hardware specs? Windows OS information.

GPU, CPU, RAM, drives (make, model, capacity, how full)?

PSU: make, model, wattage, age, condition?

What video ports are you using? Motherboard (iGPU), GPU?

My thought is that there is a short somewhere.

Swap in another known working display cable. Test the current cable on another known working system.

Use a bright flashlight to inspect the I/O panel video ports inside and out. Likewise the GPU port(s).

Look for signs of damage, discolorations, corrosion, etc..