XPS 8930, power button module

37JGH is the power button which has the actual power switch, cable, and 9 pin front panel connector to plug in motherboard header.  some seller includes the oem plastic holder housing and securing the button to chassis, and some do not because they assume you only need to replace the actual power switch, or they do not have the plastic holder.  If you need the complete part, make sure you ask seller to send you pictures of actual item.  E.g., this seller of 37JGH has the complete part, https://www.ebay.com/itm/164901251731.

while this other seller has only the power switch cable.

@RustyRover  - Did you run the BIST test on the PSU?

When was last time you replaced the motherboard battery and cleared BIOS settings? I'd do that before messing with the power button module, if nothing else than to rule the battery out:

1. Power off, unplug
2. Press/hold power button for ~15 sec
3. Open case and remove motherboard battery (check Service Manual for details)
4. Press/hold power button for ~30 sec
5. Re-seat each RAM module in its slot*
6. Install fresh battery (CR2032 3-volt coin cell; ~$2)
7. Close up and connect mouse, monitor and keyboard
8. Reboot

*If you still get 3,2 amber with all modules re-seated, repeat this process but at #5, install only one module in 2nd slot from CPU. Then test all the other modules, one at a time, in 2nd slot to see if you can ID a bum module.

@RoHe Thank you for your additional input.

I had not run the BIST test and I have never rplaced the motherboard battery. I don't know what you mean by clearing the BIOS, but the only thing I have done is an update, if required. But the last update from Dell will not install.

Anyway, I just ran the BIST test; the light came on solid but the fan did not start. So it failed. A friend helped me reseat the RAM modules about 10 days ago. We did not test each module but the system reported the correct amount so I presumed that both were working and the white light came on with power cord plugged in so I presumed everything was good. But I ran the Dell tests just to be safe. And, as I said, nothing failed in these tests. But I still get the amber light if I try to restart with everything plugged, thus I presumed the problem was in the switch. Now I guess, I have to replace the power supply and the battery and maybe update the BIOS. Question is should I do all that work or just replace the machine? It is about 4 years old.

Thanks again.

RustyRover

@RustyRover  - The BIST test page says:
"The power supply fan should also turn on to speed. If the fan is not spinning up properly this should be considered a BIST failure even if the LED lights up.

So if the PSU fan didn't spin when you pressed the BIST button on back of PC, that's a sign that the PSU is ailing, and could explain why PC only boots when everything is disconnected.

So your next step would be to get a replacement PSU. And I'd replace the motherboard battery and clear BIOS as I outlined above after you replace the PSU.  That's a lot easier than futzing with that teeny, tiny BIOS reset jumper.

You didn't mention what size PSU you have, but stock XPS 8930 PSU is either 460 or 850 W.  So if you have the smaller one, you might consider getting one that's bigger, which will be under less load and probably run cooler than a 460W.   Lots of threads on this forum about replacing/upgrading the XPS 8930 PSU.

Don't even think about updating BIOS until after you get this PC to boot normally again with everything all connected and no amber blinks...

EDIT: Only you can decide whether to replace the PSU or buy a whole new PC. PSU+battery is a whole lot cheaper than a new PC... This PC runs Win 10 and Win 11, so there's still lots of usable life in it, after it's fixed...

8930 (Z370 chipset Intel 8/9th gen cpu) is still a good model for 2022 and if I were you I would keep it.

Re: the computer will start if the only thing plugged in is power. Further, it will restart fine from the power menu in the start menu.

I would try clear cmos settings by motherboard CMCLR jumper.  In my experience this step is often efficacious dealing with corrupted cmos settings including power on logic.  

1. Locate the CMOS reset jumper (CMCLR) on the system board.
   NOTE: For more information on the location of the CMOS jumper, see “ System-board components”.
2. Remove the power cord.
3. Remove the jumper plug from the password jumper-pins (PSWD) and connect it to the CMOS jumper-pins.

Wait for 5 seconds and then replace the jumper plug to the password jumper-pins (PSWD).

Replacing the cmos battery would not hurt but since the pc is only 4 years old I do not suspect the battery has already died.

@redxps630​ , how is the power button removed from the plastic holder?  I've tried but don't want to break it because I can't find anyone selling just the holder.  I ordered the cable but it comes without the holder.