XPS 8930, front I/O panel cable error every startup

I am not one of the many guys in this forum with a thorough understanding of these Dell computers.  I am sure some of them will respond to this also.  However, my 8930 did this exact thing about a year or so ago.  It started after I changed the top fan out to a bigger/better Noktua fan.  Every time it booted I would have to hit tab/enter and it would go ahead and load windows 10.  If I recall correctly, what finally seems to have fixed mine was a suggestion from RoHe and others that went something like this.  Shut the computer down, unplugged the power cord, disconnected everything but the wired mouse and keyboard, held the power button down for about 30 seconds.  Take the side cover off and remove the BIOS button cell battery for about a minute, install a new battery (just a precaution and cheap) button up the computer and reboot.  It worked for me and still works and my computer boots fine.  However, every now and then during updates and the necessary re-boots it might produce that screen and I would just hit tab/enter and it would finish.  Mine is working fine and boots to windows usually between 9-12 seconds.  Again, I am sure some more members will respond if I missed something.

Removing power, flea power (discharging), removing the battery, CLR CMOS 'ing and restoring power did not resolve the issue.  The input is appreciated.

Did you check the cable connector between motherboard and front panel at both ends? It's #9 in the motherboard picture.

Also check connectors #2, #3 and #16 which are for front USB and front audio.

See if that helps...

EDIT: Did you press/hold power button on PC after removing old battery, before installing a new one? If not, try that too.

All cables, including all data and power, were reseated.  The battery was not replaced.  That may be investigated, albeit as a last resort.

The design of Dell's systems is sorely lacking.  A non-critical error (USB/audio ports, not even the logic for distinction) that cannot be bypassed makes this XPS "prosumer" system useless minimally for remote implementations.  This coupled with the constant battery and power adapter non-ignorable errors on many laptop models, two which which I have familiarity with over the last five years that each exhibit an inconsistent version of this "faulty battery or adapter" boot fault, give pause for future recommendation to others (as has been done previously dozens or hundreds of times).

Dell, find some half-competent firmware plans.

The error is stored in BIOS, so nothing you do is going to clear it unless/until you do a reset by removing the battery and pressing/holding the power button for ~30 sec and then installing a fresh battery. The battery is only ~$2 so even if it doesn't fix the problem, you've ruled it out.

And if that doesn't clear the error, you can consider replacing the front panel cable which might have failed, etc...

BTW: Do all your front ports, USB, audio, and card reader, all work properly?

Everything front-side works.  The error's storage has nothing to do with the battery, as you might be implying.  The discharge (holding power while disconnected) and battery removal was already completed, as was using the physical Clear CMOS jumper, which should do the same without discharging or removing the battery.

The point stands, Dell are poor at software and firmware design.  Not offering a non-critical error bypass is an example.

I know that English is not my strong suit because it is not my native language.  But I think I am well verse enough to understand most of what people saying.  I have to admit that I am confused when reading through this thread.  I could not find the issue nor the solution OP looking for.  I guess I didn't get the point.

Title read front I/O panel cable error every startup, then OP goes on to say The cables for the card reader, audio and USB ports are all disconnected.  Wouldn't that be obvious the alert was correctly reporting the status as it detected the disconnection?  So, what really is the issue here?

OP latest post has expressed The point stands, Dell are poor at software and firmware design.  Not offering a non-critical error bypass is an example.  But in the original post, OP already knew and was able to bypass The system is functional once 'Continue' is pressed. !!!

If I understood correctly then the system is functioning as designed.  It detected front input card reader and USB, front output audio jack, were disconnected.  So an alert message was displayed to notify user the fault.  But the alert message did not impede the system operation, click on Continue will allow to bypass the error message and system is function as normal.  So, what really is the issue here???

It sounds like those cables were disconnected on purpose.  Then obviously, OP knew the cause.  Plugging those cables back should stop the error message as system will detect no fault.

If all cables are connected and all ports are functioning but you get an alert at every start up.  That would be an issue, valid for discussion and finding resolution.

If my understanding is wrong, forgive me for bug-in.  But if I understood it correctly as explained in my post, you can see why I am confused !!! 

@silekonn  Have to agree with @Chino de Oro, what you said hasn't been consistent, which is why I keep asking questions.

Errors can be stored in BIOS. You have to press/hold the power button after unplugging PC and again after removing the battery to reset BIOS. From your last post it doesn't sound like you did that.

If all front devices (ports), including SD reader, are working properly, there's possibly a fault on the motherboard that's not seeing that everything is connected correctly.

@RoHe​ hi, I had the io audio error and I reset the bios like you said. Unplug Ac, hold power 10 sec, remove battery, hold power 30sec insert battery and plug in. Now nothing work, power on and screen is black. The fan is on but nothing boot. Only monitor keyboard mouse plug. I try to plug in the OEM HDMI , not working.  I need help 

@Walliut - XPS 8930? Version of Windows?

Exactly what "io audio error" were you getting?  What color is the power button on PC and steady or blinking when you try to boot now? If blinking, count the blinks which is an error message...

Did you install a fresh motherboard battery, or just reinstall the old one?

If you can see the Dell splash screen when you power on, tap F2 to see if you open BIOS setup.

If you have an add-in video card, the monitor should be connected to that card, and not to an onboard graphics port. The onboard video ports aren't active when an add-in video card is installed and you reset BIOS.

Did you re-check the video cable connections from card to monitor to make sure they're attached correctly?

Did you try re-seating the video card in its slot, and making sure the power connector from the PSU is connected to the card (assuming your video card requires that extra connector)?

FWIW, it's not wise to follow instructions given for an entirely different issue, which may not be the solution to some other problem, and could cause new problems. And always better to start a new thread for a different problem....

@RoHe​ hi thank for fast reply.

Actually I reply in the wrong place. Thank for information, the issue was my fault. Pretty stupid, my HDMI go in a HDMI splitter and it was set on the wrong on. I follow your instructions from a thread where someone having bios error io front panel when start up.  Thanks I will start a new post for my issue 

@williut - Be sure to include exact PC model and version of Windows when you start your new thread...