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February 9th, 2025 22:35
XPS 8940, blinking power light
Hi friends,
I have a Dell desktop that is acting up.
When I turn the power on by pressing the power button on the front of the unit, it blinks 4 times white and followed by 2 times amber or orange. This alternates after 10-15 minutes of leaving it alone. 4 times amber 2 itme white.
Before somebody attempts to roast me, I did look at the service manual (found here: https://www.dell.com/support/manuals/en-ca/xps-8940-desktop/xps-8940-service-manual/system-diagnostic-lights?guid=guid-85db873b-6a6d-4609-b8b6-31ea6899c4b5&lang=en-us#:~:text=Solid%20white%E2%80%94Computer%20is%20in,light%20patterns%20and%20associated%20problems.)
I bought this computer brand new. It might have 30 minutes of use. Any ideas?
Thnk you.
ispalten
4 Operator
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February 12th, 2025 19:45
From the link you posted above, 3 Amber, 1 White is CMOS Battery Failure.. Since you left it unused for so long, the battery lost power and is LOW.... replace it.
Not too sure what you mean by "I found what I believe is in SSD power that is not plugged in. (5 black wires together) For the life of me though, I cannot locate where it is supposed to plug in to." Which drive power line or where to connect it to the motherboard?
However, all the board connections are detailed here, https://www.dell.com/support/manuals/en-us/xps-8940-desktop/xps-8940-service-manual/installing-the-system-board?guid=guid-25d14fe1-5fc7-4b24-939b-56aa714aa638 and not sure if you mean #10-12, or even #15 or #18?
(edited)
Chino de Oro
9 Legend
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8.1K Posts
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February 9th, 2025 23:27
From the link to service manual, it seems that the error indicates something wrong with memory. You may try to reseat all memory modules and test again before contacting seller for a return.
ispalten
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February 10th, 2025 15:52
I added XPS8940 to the title some others would know what model the issue is with.
From the link for the 8940 it appears you have 2 problems that might be related?
4 white, 2 amber, Memory or Random-Access Memory (RAM) failure
2 White, 4 amber - CPU Power cable connection issue
I suspect a loose power connection to the motherboard could be the cause.
Brand new? Last made in 2022 probably, did you just buy it? Was it 'used'? Sold by Dell?
Did you recently 'move' it, it could have caused a loose cable connection I guess?
Doug4863
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February 10th, 2025 20:57
Thank you. I purchased the system brand new from Dell, but then it sat in my closet for approx. 10-12 months.
Thank you for the explanation on the power button codes. This makes more sense thn the first repl I received. I'll go after these issues right now.
Doug4863
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February 10th, 2025 22:46
Yes, I was in it to pull the hard drive to put into my older system to move the data from the older system over. I never ended up getting the data moved over, but I did pull the ram to try in my older system. I should have just left it alone, but I have fallen in love with my old XPS that weighs a lot and looks so much better than the new plastic XPS (IMO)
issue #1 - Memory Related
I'm not sure the ram is installed in the correct locations? Could you please share your thoughts?
Issue 2 - CPU Power. Could that mean CPU fan power cable? I've never known a CPU to have power cable and I cannot see one that would that is free and would connect or a connection on the CPU or connection for powe.
Thank you!!!
Chino de Oro
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February 11th, 2025 02:47
First memory stick to DIMM 1 (second white slot from CPU), second memory stick to DIMM 2 (last white slot furthest from CPU).
bradthetechnut
7 Technologist
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February 11th, 2025 04:06
CPU power socket is on the motherboard. Make sure no MB connections came loose.
Doug4863
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February 12th, 2025 19:16
I found what I believe is in SSD power that is not plugged in. (5 black wires together) For the life of me though, I cannot locate where it is supposed to plug in to. It Does not come off he power supply like it did in the old days.
Does anyone know approx. where on the motherrboard I should be looking? Or if there is a motherboard diagram somewhere? I've been staring at it long enough Im starting to go cross eyed. LOL.
Thank you.
(edited)
Doug4863
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February 12th, 2025 19:19
@Chino de Oro
Thank you.
Down to 1 white power blink and 3 amber.
As soon as I plug in the system it turns on. Weird.
Doug4863
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March 12th, 2025 18:44
Hello,
Thank you everyone for you help. My XPS blinking power lights are no longer an issue as I have a solid white light.
I m going to start nother post for my curent issue - no display after changing the CMOS battery.
All the best everyone.
Doug.