Problems with my XPS8940 (long post ahead)

Question

Hello, one and all. I have had my XPS 8940 since December 2021, and in the almost year and change I've had it, it has experienced lots of problems; this is going to be somewhat of a long post, so please stay with me here.

Namely:
The USB ports tend to have issues, and sometimes they will work, other times not.

At times, if I put the computer to sleep, nothing comes on screen (except the mouse cursor).

It takes about a couple times for it to turn on, as well.

I've also experienced thermal issues, in that the CPU cooler is rather insufficent for what it has. Some of the solutions including installing a new, more powerful CPU cooler, a new VRM heat sink, and bigger and better extra case fans (see comment for the parts).

Which now brings me to this: While I have some experience in replacing computer parts, things like these are uncharted territory for me, and I fear I may screw up. What should I do about all these things? Lastly, I realized I am not the only one who has had issues with my XPS8940 - what issues have you guys been having? Just wanting to hear ya. Thanks in advance, everyone.

MisterJLG · Answer

(The parts that should be installed: https://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Compatible-Optiplex-7080MT-Desktop/dp/B094QTTKJX -and- https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08SWSLDDP)

Tesla1856 · Answer

@MisterJLG wrote:

1. The USB ports tend to have issues, and sometimes they will work, other times not.

2. At times, if I put the computer to sleep, nothing comes on screen (except the mouse cursor).

3. It takes about a couple times for it to turn on, as well.

1. Have you over-loaded them (amp-wise) or is maybe one particular USB-device really the culprit? Powered USB-3 Hubs are helpful.

2. That is usually the video driver. This is a desktop (not a laptop) so just disable sleep. Shut it down at night.

3. You will have to be more specific. If it's slow to boot-up, is your C-Drive a SSD ?

LikeHerdingCats · Answer

I followed a long thread a while back about cooling issues with the 8940 and through that, did my own upgrade (video here https://youtu.be/nWOeO1Cfva0)

For me, just doing the better cpu cooler and better rear fan did an amazing job getting so much heat out of that tiny case. Adding the front fan was very helpful too. In hindsight, I wouldn't have bothered with the bottom fan in front of the video card. But, any airflow helps

I haven't seen the lockups you are experiencing and surprisingly my 8940 has worked quite well.

If you aren't comfortable doing those upgrades, perhaps a local computer store could do them for you?

RoHe · Answer

@MisterJLG - Version of Windows?

Your USB ports may need some Power plan settings adjustments:

Reboot PC and open Device Manager. Click View>Show hidden on the toolbar. Then expand list under USB. Double-click each USB entry and click its Power Management tab, if it has one. Uncheck the box "Allow PC to turn off...". Repeat for all USB entries.

Now expand the list under Human Interface Devices in Device Manager and uncheck that same box for any HID entry that has a Power Management tab. Exit Device Manager when done.

Next, open the Windows Power & Sleep screen. Click Additional Power Settings. On next screen identify the active Power plan and click Change Plan Settings. On next screen, click Change Advanced Power Settings.

On that last screen, disable Hibernation, Hybrid Sleep, USB Selective Suspend, and PCI Express Link State Management. Also on that last screen, set Processor Power Management to Max=100% and Min=100%. Save the changes to the Power plan and reboot.

NOTE: Above instructions to change Power plan settings on the Advanced screen are based on Win 10. Navigating to that Advanced screen may be (slightly) different in Win 11, and Win 11 may not have all the items I suggested to be disabled.

Do you have an add-in video card or only use onboard Intel Graphics? If you have an add-in video card, make sure the monitor is connected to the card not to either onboard Intel Graphics port.

What type port are you using on PC and what type on monitor? You might try switching from HDMI(PC)>HDMI(monitor) to DP(PC)>DP(monitor) or vice versa, assuming monitor supports both types. When switching port types, remember to use a port on the add-in video card, assuming you have one.

See if that helps...

MisterJLG · Answer

I am using Windows 11.

MisterJLG · Answer

I have two SSDs.

MisterJLG · Answer

Hmmm..... that could work.

XPS Desktops

Problems with my XPS8940 (long post ahead)

Was this post helpful?