So I tried a system restore with no luck.  

Has anyone else had problems like this?  Am I in a situation where my only option is to do a complete system recovery?  

So due to a lack of patience, I decided to try to perform a factory reset on the unit.  However, I am unable to do so because after the system resets, there are (what I'm guessing) prompts to determine the steps to restore the system.  Unfortunately, these mystery prompts ONLY show up on the tablet screen and not on the external monitor.  

So I've tried reinstalling updates, doing a system restore to a time before I installed the updates, and a complete factory reset.  None of which are helping my system.  I have a feeling that this is an issue that I'll need specialized help (DELL-Brian B PLEASE!!!!) so that I can get the unit back to a fully functional state.

And the icing on the cake...

I thought maybe it was the video drivers so I figured I'd try installing an older version.  I thought maybe if I uninstalled the current driver, that it would at least give me functionality on the tablet.  Instead, my external monitor went blank and the tablet screen was blank as well.  

Right now I have a completely useless tablet that won't display anything and that is unable to display to an external monitor.  My only hope is if there is a series of physical inputs that will force the tablet to factory reset.  If anyone knows of something, I would really appreciate it.  Otherwise I guess my $1000 tablet is now a $1000 paperweight...

It's been a few weeks and I still haven't heard anything.  I was really hoping for some support through the forums since customer support via phone seems to be reading from a script.  

Someone please help me fix my tablet!!!  

Sorry, didn't see this thread.    I suppose it is possible that your LCD has gone out, although this isn't common.   Maybe you've already tried this but if not, could you please try cycling displays by booting the device (preferably while docked with an external monitor so that you know the unit is up and running - not sure if this is still possible for you in the current system state) and pressing Windows key + P and then enter.   Try this a couple times to see if the LCD itself ever comes up.   If it does not, you might try the LCD BIST (built in self test).   You should be able to access this by pressing power and then holding down the volume down button.).   

Thanks for the information.  I'll try both of these methods when I get home.  I have a feeling that the Windows+P won't work since my initial issue was just that the picture was not displaying on the tablet, but was on the external monitor.  I did not know about the BIST though.  

If neither of these are successful, what kind of options will we be left with?

No luck.  The screen turns on and is a gray/green color, but it might just be the LCD backlight.  I'm not sure whether it is the BIST or just regular operation.  I took a couple of pictures, one with the unit off and one with it on to show the difference, but they were too big to attach so I've provided a link to them on my OneDrive.

onedrive.live.com/redir;authkey=!ABrT4o_a-lQYU9w&ithint=folder%2cjpg

Let me know what else I may be able to try.  Thanks!

One (and a half) last question.  I read an article from a discussion on these forums (en.community.dell.com/.../they-got-a-new-venue-11-pro-why-didn-t-i) about Dell issuing replacement units for those purchased before March 2014.  Is this something I may be eligible for?  If not, what is the best way to contact support to fix the issue?

I remember trying to contact them when I first had problems with the device and ran into some trouble since the device I have was a replacement and did not match what was on my order history.

That link isn't allowing me to access any files unfortunately.   If the LCD is functioning (meaning, light up and displaying a color), then it could be a cable issue or something with the motherboard.   If the LCD is functioning but the backlight is off, then you likely need a replacement panel.   Sounds like you need to contact support to get a service set up unfortunately.