Comment 85 for bug 1163720

XPS13-with-UEFI users, please take note and try the following:

The Ubuntu -proposed kernels now allow you to set a new boot parameter "i915.disable_pch_pwm=0" which should correct the black screen on boot problem, and may enable backlight control functionality after boot. However, the boot parameter is NOT enabled by default (since it would adversely affect non-UEFI configurations). The boot parameter is only relevant for Dell XPS13's. See comment #77 for additional information.

The "i915.disable-pch_pwm=0" boot parameter is available as of these kernel versions:

  Saucy 3.11.0-15 #22
  Raring 3.8.0-35 #50
  Quantal 3.5.0-45 #68
  Precise 3.2.0-58 #88

See this page for instructions about using boot parameters: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Kernel/KernelBootParameters