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XPS 710 - Steady Amber Light
I leave my computer on 24/7, and just yesterday I came back to find no video signal, no audio signal, no keyboard or mouse functionality and a steady amber light on the power button. i turned the computer off, started it up, and found that the hdd fan started up fast and then slowed to a halt as it normally does, but then the system fan spun up to full speed and just remained there (not normal). The diagnostic lights don't turn on, indicating the machine doesn't even make it to the bios. The only signs of life on the machine are the amber power light and the system fan blasting. I turned the machine off, waited, turned it on. same deal.
I later opened it up, took out the memory that i added last month, tried every combination of taking out components. I even went barebones, unplugged everything save for the fans (video cards, sound card, vid capture card, hdd's, dvd drives, all unplugged) and all still the same thing. The steady amber power-button light.
Also, there is another amber light on the mobo, towards the top. I don't know if that is supposed to be green or what, but that light is also steady amber (anyone know what that light even is? it's not on any support/manual diagram). I'm hoping this is just a connection/power issue, replacing the psu would be much cheaper than replacing my mobo (my 1yr warranty ended a month ago). If there's anything you guys can give me that'll help my situation out, it'd be much appreciated.
russdustus
101 Posts
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Posted April 7th, 2008 16:00
It's been my experiance that you can't get a 720 motherboard through spare parts if you don't already own a 720, and since you own a 710, they won't sell you a 720 motherboard. They will sell you a referbished 710 board. Good luck.These are the parts needed for converting a 700 to a 720, not sure if you need the front panel, or if they are the same in the 710. Maybe chris could let you know.
1 . XPS 720 Motherboard (Dell P/N CK520)2. XPS 720 Front Panel Assembly (including the following parts)a. Front Panel PWA Assembly (Dell P/N Black - XU567)b. Front Panel Ribbon Cable (Dell P/N TM476)c. Front Panel Retention Device (Dell P/N HN362)d. Front Panel Retention Device Screws (x2) (Dell P/N 16DYP)e. Replacement Front Panel Cosmetic Insert (Dell P/N Black – WJ206)f. Front Panel Audio Cable (Dell P/N GR709)3. Rear I/O Panel (Dell P/N XU556)I also use Arctic Silver 5 for my thermal paste.Message Edited by gdwrnch3 on 04-07-2008 02:19 PMI have the same situation but the XPS 720 motherboard upgrade and a new processor did not fix the problem. My problem is that I was playing an online game and then blue screen. . .machine check was the error. I tried rebooting and all I got was fans coming on. . .nothing is sent to the screen. I ordered the 720 upgrade motherboard components, installed them. Still a lot of fan action and nothing to the screen. I replaced the processor with the same speed etc, and still a lot of fan action and nothing to the screen.
I notice the power button is amber. The front panel shows 3 and 4. Inside, on the motherboard, top right, there is a light that is amber. No flashing or anything, just a solid amber (orange) light.
I've exchanged everything but the power supply and the disk drive. I don't know what else to do. I've thrown nearly $1000 at this already. . . motherboard, processor, video card and still all I am powering is fans. Seems all I have now is an expensive fan.
You're lucky, I'm still stuck pre-bios. I wouldn't be surprised if a new psu worked for you. My issue is that I can't even get the diagnostic lights on the front. That's why I'm thinking mobo issue for me. I'll have the diagnostic tools to find out in a month when I go home, but until then I'm stuck with a paper weight; a 56 pound paper weight. And I'm wondering the same thing about the amber light on my mother board, anyone know what it is and if it'll help give me a clue as to what is wrong?
IamBenW
7 Posts
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Posted April 6th, 2008 21:00
that's how it was, everything was unplugged except the cpu and fans, and i got two amber lights, and full power to fans. so i'm looking at replacing the mobo? and seeing as how my warranty expired less than a month ago, i'm looking at paying full price for it?