Okay, just created an account to post this in case some people might have encountered a similar issue and have suggestions on fixing it long-term.
My Dell 7348 was fine running Windows 10, but after updating to the Creators Update and rebooting, it would freeze and get stuck on the black screen with spinning white dots (after the initial screen with the white Dell logo).
Several reinstalls later using a WIndows 10 USB key installer, and I finally isolated the cause: the Intel HD 5500 Graphics drivers. I tried three versions of the Intel Graphics drivers to see if there was a difference:
- The package on Dell's support page for the 7348, which installs Intel Graphics Driver 15.40.25.4463
- The drivers fetched by Windows 10 via Windows Update, which also installs Intel Graphics Driver 15.40.25.4463
- Intel's official and latest drivers, which installs the newer Intel Graphics Driver 15.40.34.4624
All three of them, on reboot, would still get me stuck on the black screen with spinning dots. Even on a fresh and clean installation, with new partitions and all.
But guess what lets me boot and reboot without any problems every time? Yup, the Microsoft Basic Display Adapter drivers. Using those, I have no booting problems at all.
So if you're having the same issue as me booting/rebooting into Windows 10 and your Dell laptop uses Intel Graphics drivers, this is a workaround you can use.
A quick thank you for reading this far, so I'll get down to the question: does anyone have a suggestion for a long-term fix? Because, obviously, using the Microsoft Basic Display Adapter driver in the long run isn't exactly ideal.