XPS 8700, power button flashes orange when I press it and computer won't start

Question

It was working fine until I turned it off yesterday. Now it won't start at all. Dell AI says to buy a new computer. Anyone have an idea what might be wrong?

JOcean · Answer

What is the light sequence such as 2,1 or 2,2, etc. ? With an almost 10 year old system it may be time to replace the CMOS battery. If you do, leave a battery out of the system for 15 minutes before installing the new battery.

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Chino de Oro · Answer

The XPS 8700 was also known for power button failure. If there is no sight of life (power), perform a self-test on the power supply. On some systems, if the LED of power supply turns on, you may push the PC power button while pressing on BIST button and that will help to turn on the PC for further troubleshooting.

If a failed power button is identified, a repair or replacement will be resolution for handy person.

redxps630 · Answer

JOcean and Chino have nailed it. Flashing amber power button could be either corrupted CMOs or bad power supply. I have also seen defective or incompatible memory sticks do this. The flash code is helpful. If you replace CMOs battery w a new one, also clear CMOs settings by motherboard jumper. If amber code persists, borrow a working 24/4 pin psu from another desktop pc when possible to test 8700 board.

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redxps630 · Answer

8700 code table

Diagnostic LED Indicators

Power LED	Problem Description	Suggested Resolution
2,1	Motherboard Failure	Contact Technical Support
2,2	Motherboard: Power Supply	Contact Technical Support
2,3	Motherboard: Memory or CPU	Troubleshoot the Memory and Memory Slots.
2,4	Bad Coin Cell Battery	Replace the CMOS Battery and Contact Technical Support if issue persists.
2,5	BIOS Checksum Failure	Flash BIOS and contact Technical Support if issue persists.
2,6	Bad CPU	Contact Technical Support
2,7	Memory Failures	Troubleshoot the Memory and Memory Slots.
3,1	PCI Device or Video Subsystem failure	Troubleshoot a No POST issue.
3,2	Video Subsystem failure	Troubleshoot a No POST issue.
3,3	No Memory detected	Troubleshoot the Memory and Memory Slots.
3,4	Storage Subsystem failure	Troubleshoot a No POST issue.
3,5	Memory configuration or incompatible error	Troubleshoot the Memory and Memory Slots.
3,6	System board failure	Troubleshoot a No POST issue.
3,7	Possible Memory failure	Troubleshoot the Memory and Memory Slots.

https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000145872/a-reference-guide-to-the-xps-desktop-diagnostic-indicators#bs_Six

snow scorpion · Answer

Thank you, redxps630. That link you sent seems to have pointed me in the right direction.

Now I have to try to make sense of what Dell is telling me what to do.

Just to be clear, I get a blinking Amber light for as long as the power button is pressed. As soon as I let go of the power button, the blinking immediately stops. I get no sounds at all.

Thanks again.

redxps630 · Answer

2	4	6	8	NC
1	3	5	7	9

Re: As soon as I let go of the power button, the blinking immediately stops.

that seems to suggest it is a power issue. If you are careful you can unplug the front panel power switch cable from 8700 board and use a flat blade screw driver to try jump start pin 6-8 of 8700 FP header (pin 10 is blank). It is a quick touch and short of those two pins then withdraw. If the board power up normally that way it would support a bad power switch theory.

XPS Desktops

XPS 8700, power button flashes orange when I press it and computer won't start

Diagnostic LED Indicators

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