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April 9th, 2018 16:00
XPS 8900 Apparently Quite Dead
Forgive me if I over, or under-describe the issue. If I go "I did that," I really did do that. ;)
Apparently quite dead XPS 8900 over here. Power button does nothing, I hear nothing of POST action, no error codes flashed on the button. Everything reseated at least once or if it was not required to boot, it was removed, internally and externally.
The ONLY thing I get out of this machine is the self-test on the PSU: It green lights. I have a power supply tester at hand, and it passes spec on it, minus the 2nd 12V rail. Question is, does that PSU *have* a secondary 12V rail? If it does, it's a marginal PSU. If it doesn't, it's likely not the PSU. So, does DP/N 6gxm0 have a second rail, or not? Could someone PLEASE find this out?
CMOS battery pulled, machine left for 24h with no power, then "drained" via power button technique, absolute bare minimum config, button does nothing.
Never even been able to get it to scream about removing a stick of RAM. To me, it doesn't really seem to be getting to POST. Not sure if the BIOS flash is at play here.
Are there any LEDs on the system board? I've not seen any.
To clarify: been doing this since the 90s, former amateur radio operator, former DCSE, former ACMT. (Don't ask why on all the formers.) Without a good mobo or perhaps CPU to swap on this, I'm stuck, unless someone's got more information.
Tesla1856
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April 9th, 2018 17:00
1. That usually means it's OK. However, I've never had a bad Dell Power-Supply (newer, with self-test LED) on the bench to verify that the LED was actually off or not green.
2. I have these notes with my Digital Power Supply Tester ...
12v L1 = Power from 20/24pin side/right-edge
12v L2 = Power from other side/left-edge
Must connect (one) something on L2 side/edge or L2(+12v) will be missing.
Yes, you can connect one plug on each side/edge concurrently.
Yes, as you check each single one on left-side some of those might be fed by different rails.
overclockedmind
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April 9th, 2018 17:00
Yeah, so much no LED that I dunno where the thing is supposed to be at. I've read through the manual a few times but haven't noticed where it is on the system board.
Where am I looking at?
RoHe
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April 9th, 2018 17:00
If there's no LED lit on motherboard when PC is connected to known working outlet, then it's not even getting flea power. That LED should be on 24/7 when PC is connected to a working outlet, even if the PC isn't on.
Did you try another power cord?
If you're using a surge protector, power strip or uninterruptable power supply, remove those and connect PC directly to a known working outlet.
Otherwise, failed power supply or failed motherboard...
RoHe
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April 9th, 2018 18:00
Not sure where the motherboard LED is on this board. I looked at the motherboard pic in the XPS 8900 Service Manual too, even enlarged the pic 3x , and I don't see it either.
They're typically bright enough that you can't possibly miss it if it's on. And usually it's amber in color.
So if you don't see it...
overclockedmind
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April 11th, 2018 10:00
Yeah, I'm going motherboard on this one. The PSU actually tests out fine, I just had to figure out how to work my new tester.
I *do* wonder if it's got to do with this wonky BIOS update that went out... but then I'm thinking I'd see the amber LED. Probably.
Tesla1856
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April 11th, 2018 10:00
1. Possibly. Pull the CMOS battery, do all the CMOS reset jumpers, let it sit bare in the moon-light ... try to revive it.
2. Good
3. Right. I hope I helped. Same reason I had those notes.
4. Possibly. If that was the last time it worked, it might have bricked-it ... Unfortunately, it's pretty common (just search the forums).
5. Not sure what bricks do ... random things I think.
RoHe
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April 11th, 2018 10:00
Just to throw a wrench at the monkey... :Surprise:
We don't know when the last time the motherboard LED was actually working. So it could be totally coincidental that you don't see it now, and unrelated to whatever caused the current problem, eg a wonky BIOS update...
So read this...
speedstep
11 Legend
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April 11th, 2018 11:00
Dell Studio XPS 8900 Motherboard LGA1151 SOCKET XJ8C4
I do not see a FLEA LED.
XPS 8900 Specifications PDF
XPS 8900 Service Manual PDF HTML
XPS 8900 Quick Start Guide - Windows 7 PDF
XPS 8900 Quick Start Guide - Windows 8 PDF
XPS 8900 Quick Start Guide - Windows 10 PDF
Regulatory Information
Dell XPS 8900, Regulatory Model D14M, Regulatory Type D14M002
Tesla1856
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April 11th, 2018 11:00
Right, maybe not (or maybe it's just not marked).
TTYTT, when I saw the orange flea-led on my new Vostro-460/XPS-8300 is was kinda surprised by it. But who-knows ... maybe it's common on Dells these days?
Tesla1856
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April 11th, 2018 11:00
I like the way you said it in your second post here:
https://www.dell.com/community/Inspiron-Desktops/Inspiron-3650-won-t-restart-after-BIOS-update/td-p/6051343
I like this "customer knowledge path" ... they read your 2nd post, THEN follow the link.
I've started to use your thread/post (hope that's OK) :Smile:
overclockedmind
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April 13th, 2018 10:00
Access denied for the link given.
I know what you mean. This is one of those approaching near-circular logic. I loathe the call to Dell, but the family member I'm trying to help out wouldn't even know what the heck to tell them.
Possibly that it's not dead; it's merely pining for the fjords...
Meanwhile, I'm pining for the days of an XPS that weighed like a fridge and had those dual-diagnostic LEDs.
RoHe
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April 13th, 2018 10:00
Sorry, didn't realize you wouldn't have access to that link... :TongueTied:
Even if the warranty has expired, contact Dell Tech Support, ASAP. Have Service Tag handy.
Assuming Dell's SupportAssist or Update app prompted the user to update BIOS, explain that to the support agent. It would help to know when the alert to update was received, what version of BIOS was being offered and what old version of BIOS was running. Politely request a motherboard replacement.
Keep in mind that if the system isn't still under warranty, Dell would probably only send you a bare motherboard and you would have to do the replacement and return the old board to them. So -hopefully- this is something you can handle yourself, including transferring the CPU to the new board, and/or have a geeky friend, and/or are willing to pay a PC shop to do the swap.
If the first agent isn't helpful ask to speak to the next level of support.
A small tube of thermal paste, eg Arctic Silver, will be needed. The top of the CPU and bottom of heat sink will have to be gently cleaned and a new thin layer of paste applied before the heat sink is reattached. (Lots of Youtubes about applying new thermal paste.)
Good luck. Post back and let us know what happens...
overclockedmind
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April 15th, 2018 10:00
Here's the thing about it, really. User doesn't know that IS what happened, and I have no way of determining that it is. I also have no way of determining that it isn't. I suspect that it is, given that the user's knowledge level wouldn't have had them turning off SupportAssist, et cetera, but I can't conclude anything conclusively.
Also at "weight" in the scenario is the number of postings about the BIOS update being the cause.
So, even with weight directed toward the update being probable, what I have from the end user is "it shut down on its own while out of the room, and wouldn't turn on again."
Maybe more of an integrity issue (mine) than anything else. Stupid conscience, right? Yet I also don't see it as right that they should have to pay for another board, just because there's no "proof," but that proof is unobtainable.
Something caused the thing to shut itself down. But, what? Again, circular logic, and all of that...