XPS Desktops

[anandmahey]

Hello good people,

i have an XPS 8910 from 2015. It worked fine until last night. It powered off by itself, like someone cut off the power. There was no power failure.

i have been trying the solutions on this forum. Tried the PSU test. The green light comes on and is steady. Fans run at full speed.

Noticed the PSU’s fan does not run though. I remember reading somewhere this is normal.

here are the steps i’ve attempted:

1. Removed power cable, pressed power button for 30 seconds, reconnected power and tried to power on. At first no cigar. Tried again. Powered on for less than a minute and died.

2. Disconnected all connected devices, external and internal, except for the processor. Reconnected 1 by 1 and tested PSU Green light. No problem there.

3. After everything was reconnected, tested PSU’s green light again, it lit up and fans run.

4. Cleaned internally, removed all the dust. Just in case. No cigar.

i’m at a loss. I’m thinking its the motherboard. But is it possible to test the motherboard?

thank you.

[sam55todd]

Motherboard can be tested with different RAM+CPU+FAN and PowerSupply (which you know are working).

CMOS battery normally lasts 2-3 years (recommended replacement).
Re-seat onboard jumpers.
Clean dust from MB surfaces with gentle brush (because it may act as electrical conductor).

Try to disconnect all devices again (removing all internal modules, including M.2 storage and M.2 WiFi),
but this time don't plug everything back (very careful with drives if you have RAID array, you may lose data, and if clearing BIOS/CMOS - ensure you remember all settings)
plug only essentials - power to motherboard, single memory stick, no keyboard/mouse or any other externals,
(just to eliminate possibility what one of additional devices is causing this), internal speaker (in case if it tries to beep you fault codes).
do you have spare cooler? Or Fan for cooler? (those have bearings which can last 3 years of cheaper models)
Re-plug power button? 7 years is enough to break mechanical elements, as well as to get thermal compound under CPU dry (normal longevity is 3 years, some higher tier thermal paste lasts up to 5 years), that's not only about CPU but affects chipset and (if installed) VR heatsink.
Some type of capacitors over 7 years do degrade drastically, as well as elements of Voltage Regulator.

If nothing works (incl. reseating CPU) then one of remaining elements (MB or CPU) is most likely toasted (after 7 years of good service).

[Vic384]

@anandmahey Try replacing the coin (CMOS) cell battery. 

[redxps630]

re: Powered on for less than a minute and died.
After replacing cmos battery try clear cmos settings via motherboard CMCLR jumper. https://www.dell.com/support/manuals/en-cr/xps-8910-desktop/xps-8910-desktop_servicemanual/procedure...

1. Remove the jumper plug from the password jumper-pins (PSWD) and connect it to the CMOS jumper-pins.
2. Wait for 5 seconds and then replace the jumper plug to the password jumper-pins (PSWD).