So I figured out the problem of why I was just getting the black screen when attempting to enter the BIOSl. Also noteworthy to mention, the DELL logo that is usually displayed on power-up was never displayed on the monitor. SOLUTION:  The ViewSonic VA2756 monitor that I was using could not display the low resolution that the graphics card sends out during the hardware and BIOS start up routines. The system WAS entering the BIOS setup but the monitor could not display it's low resolution.  I switched to an older Dell monitor and everything worked as expected. I saw the Dell logo when I powered on the computer and it entered the BIOS when I pressed F2. The problem was not with the BIOS or with the computer at all. Mystery solved! Best wishes to all!
Hi all, I recently purchased a Precision 5810 through Dell Refurbished, and i'm noticing something odd with ti when it boots. What I’m noticing is that upon pressing the power button to boot, the computer sits with no activity on the screen for about a minute or so, then the BIOS screen comes up for less than 10 seconds, and continues the boot process. The display shows that there is no signal and remains amber (it’s a Dell ultrasharp monitor), then once the BIOS comes up, it stays green. Originally i was using DVI, but then I tried troubleshooting by trying the displayport on the Quadro that came with the machine, and also removing the Quadro and put another Nvidia card in there, both behaved the exact same. i also ran the ePSA diagnostics and everything passed fine. I tried Dell Refurb support and they have been no help so far, which is why i'm posting here. Is this behavior normal for this machine? Compared to some of my other Precisions, (T3400, T7400, T3610), they all, upon pressing the power button, the BIOS comes up immediately, then the storage controller shows the drives, and continues to the OS. Has this changed with this revision of the 5810 where it sits before getting to the BIOS? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!  
Precision 5810: Sits on blank screen before BIOS