Dell xps 400 won't boot

[dmy95]

This issue has been solved. Bad mobo. not worth replaceing mobo. Thanks for all the great ideas.



I have a pc I am trying to help a friend fix. It is a Dell
desktop xps 400 with windows xp installed. She at the start of this got
some error about the internal battery ( she does not know the exact error)
so after checking around she replaced the cmos batt. Now as soon as I
plug it in it gives an amber light flashing at the power button and on the
rj45 connection on the mother board. It will not start at all.
The power supply tests good with a tester. And I tried another power supply with no impact. The other light on the
mother board is green. The cmos battery is installed and good. However
this box acts the same with or with out the cmos battery installed
same blinking lights.
The documentation from Dells site would show that the blinking amber light means an
internal power supply problem. I have replaced the cmos batt. And
reset the jumpers and still have exactly the same issue. Any thoughts?

[darkertint]

if the power supply is good you should still feel the drives spinning and the fans will turn on ect. Sounds like the motherboard needs to be replaced if it won't turn on at all and the power supply is ok. I guess since it won't turn on at all you're not getting any system beeps? Those usually tell a lot.

[BipolarBill]

Check for bad capacitors:

Badcaps.net - Badcaps Home

[airforceone1]

if the power supply is good you should still feel the drives spinning and the fans will turn on ect. Sounds like the motherboard needs to be replaced if it won't turn on at all and the power supply is ok. I guess since it won't turn on at all you're not getting any system beeps? Those usually tell a lot.

Mine is an XPS 400. I am receiving 5 beeps after i turn the monster on. Nothing indicating that the graphics card and the monitor are 'shaking hands' however. Leads me to think the video card/graphics card has been dislodged somehow but i took the graphics card out and reseated it and i still receive the same 5 beeps.

[jasonz0rz]

Airforce - it's considered rude to post your own, new issue in someone else's thread. Please start your own.

[BipolarBill]

5 beeps in the XPS 400 is a video card issue. Time for a new one!

As Jason sez, you should have started your own thread. You should have at least mentioned whether you followed the advice above and checked the capacitors on the card and motherboard. Come on - help us to help you!

[no1_vern]

Hi dmy95, Welcome to TechIMO,
I have to second the popped capacitors analysis. Im thinking you'll have to spring for a new Mobo.