XPS 8930, won't power up

Question

Brand new, but never opened the box until a month ago (expired warranty). It booted up the first few times and I was able to update and install Win 11. After that it failed power up with a single flash of the power light most of the time.

Once when it did power up, I ran thru all the BIOS diagnostics and everything passed. It will no longer power up at all.

I just ran the BIST diagnostics and it powers up stepping thru disconnecting and reconnecting every cable until I got to the ATX-CPU 4-pin Molex. Plug that in and it fails to power up. Any idea if this is a power supply failure or a CPU/motherboard failure?

RoHe · Accepted Answer

Glad you got it working. Can we assume you applied fresh thermal paste between the CPU and heat sink?

Check in Windows Event Viewer and in Windows Reliability Monitor to see if either of them logged an error when PC froze.

Also look in Windows Update history to see if an update failed around the time of the freeze. There are recent BIOS updates for the XPS 8930, and I wonder if Windows Update tried to install one of them and that caused the freeze...?

The latest BIOS is 1.1.26 with new Intel security patches . If you want to update to this version, put the BIOS .exe file on an empty USB stick (FAT32 format). Plug it into PC with power fully off. Then power on and tap F12. When the menu opens, select the Flash Update option. Tab through the Update fields and when you tab to the Start button, check top left box for current BIOS info and top right box for new BIOS info.

Assuming both are ok, click Start and leave PC alone until it's safely back at your desktop. It will shut down ~3-4 times while working on the BIOS update, and may look like it's not doing anything, but just leave it alone...

After PC boots to desktop, restart and tap F2 to open BIOS setup. I suggest you disable UEFI Capsule Updates to prevent Windows Update from attempting to install any new BIOS. It sometimes installs the same BIOS on top of that exact same version even though it's already installed....

redxps630 · Answer

It is not cpu, but can be either psu or motherboard at the 4pin cpu 12V socket.  There could be a short circuit at that interface.  A quick way to test is to borrow and use an old ATX desktop psu (24/4 pin) that still works.  If that is able to power up 8930 mobo, then the stock psu went bad.  A local computer repair shop can also help you if you do not have a test psu.

redxps630 · Answer

you just need a 24/4 pin old but working psu.  I am not sure what old ATX psu you have but the 24/4 pin standard dates back to 1995.  even a 20/4 pin psu would work for test purpose.

Len-s · Answer

Thanks. Unfortunately all my old ATX power supplies are very old and don't have the proper connectors to run a substitute PSU test. However, the connector in question when disconnected (but PSU does apply power to the motherboard) shows 12V for each pair.

RoHe · Answer

@Len-s  What color is the power button after you see the single (amber?) flash, or does it just go off? Try this first: Power off and unplug power cord from rear of PC Press/hold power button for ~30 sec Reconnect power cord to rear of PC See if it boots now, with only mouse monitor, keyboard connected If that didn't help, try clearing BIOS: Power off, unplug Press/hold power button for ~15 sec Open case and remove motherboard battery (check Service Manual for details) Press/hold power button for ~30 sec Reinstall battery - Might be time for new CR2032 3-volt coin cell battery (~$2), since PC was not  plugged in, and draining that battery, for a long time. Close up and connect mouse, monitor and keyboard See if it boots now...

RoHe · Answer

Repeating 1 amber blink = System board: BIOS and ROM failure

That could also mean the PSU is failing under load (eg, when you reconnected the CPU power connector). A PSU is cheaper than a new motherboard, so continue in that direction...

Len-s · Answer

I did have one old PSU with a 20 and a 4 pin connector. Connected that PSU up and same results.

I then ran thru the procedures that Ron posted. Same results. The CR2032 read 3V so I did replace it with a new one that read 3.25V, no difference. The power switch light flashes amber and then goes out, repeats after a few seconds. Every time it flashes the CPU, video and rear mount fans spin for that 2-3 seconds.

Seems to me that it is a motherboard issue.

Len-s · Answer

Yes, but I connected an older known-good PSU and the results were the same, flashing amber (1). So the likelihood that it is a PSU problem seems greatly diminished. My problem with replacing the PSU is that the retail PSUs that I've seen and/or checked out the specs were significantly below the numbers for the Dell PSU. e.g. +5V at 17A vs. 25A (Dell), +5V and +3.3V max of 100W vs 142W (Dell), etc. and these numbers were for a 600W PSU (Dell is 460W).

Len-s · Answer

Well I ran the following test from the Dell XPS 8930 Service Manual and that points to a power supply failure.

Steps to confirm that power-supply unit is defective
1. Disconnect the power cord from the power-supply unit.
CAUTION: Ensure that you take adequate safety precautions before accessing the components on your
computer. See the removing and replacing instructions in the service manual for procedure to access the
power-supply unit and its cables.
2. Disconnect the power-supply unit cables from the system board.
3. Connect the power cord to the power-supply unit.
● If the LED is on for 3 seconds and turns off, it indicates that the power-supply unit is functional. Continue with
troubleshooting steps for other devices.
● If the LED does not turn on, it indicates a power-supply unit failure. Replace the power-supply unit only.

What is difficult is that Dell uses some non-standard outputs (e.g. 12VC = 8A, no -12V line, etc.), so sourcing a third party equal power supply seems to be close to impossible. I've looked at specs for Thermaltake and eVGA and don't find a match (or even close) on all outputs.

BrandonGainey · Answer

Disable Secure boot in Bios best bet

RoHe · Answer

@Len-s Lots of threads about replacement PSUs that fit and work in the XPS 8930, so read them.

For example, this thread lists several options, and a forum moderator suggested this 460W PSU for the XPS 8930: WC1T4 460w, 240v, Huntkey Electric Co Ltd, E-Star, RoHS Compliant, AFPC (Active Power Factor Correction) in another thread...

Len-s · Answer

Sadly since it won't power up at all, I can't get to the BIOS.

Len-s · Answer

Thanks. I just ordered an OEM power supply and a LCD PSU tester. Both should arrive in a week or less.

Len-s · Answer

Well, I received the OEM power supply and LCD PSU tester. Both the original and replacement power supplies test the same (OK). Thus, the problem is motherboard/CPU DOA. Does Dell have any authorized repair facilities in NH or MA?

RoHe · Answer

@Len-s - Did you actually connect the new PSU? The old one might show the correct voltages with your tester but still fails under load (ie, when connected to motherboard and CPU, etc).

If you think it's the motherboard, you could buy one and DIY. Instructions to replace it are in the Service Manual. Check the "usual" big online purchasing sites for a motherboard (and warranty, etc). Or contact Dell Spare Parts at 1-800-357-3355 and have Service Tag handy.

Dell has its own Out Of Warranty Repair Service, and you might be able to arrange onsite repair (see info at link).

XPS Desktops

XPS 8930, won't power up

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