Dell XPS 8700 Won't Power On ONSITE

[Mainstay]

So she has taken the system to her husbands work and now her work. That is three independent locations that the system does not boot 1 lick.

We've been in touch and she opted to get a second opinion from a competitor (no hard feelings on either of our parts, we both want resolution).

She takes it in... they plug it in on their bench... it boots beautifully.

She stands there gobsmacked in their shop and calls our office to report the findings...

What can I say? What can they say?

So she is getting a quote worked up for a replacement MB... I hope it goes well for her... but boy! what a strange ride.

 

[FremontPC]

She stands there gobsmacked in their shop and calls our office to report the findings...

This is just too bizarre. There has to be some difference in what's coming out of the respective outlets. WTF is it?

 

[B Trevathan]

When you had it in your shop were you using your keyboard and mouse or were you using hers?

 

[mr m]

When you had it in your shop were you using your keyboard and mouse or were you using hers?

That's a great question. At this point in time I would add that any external device or cable that plugs into the mobo would be suspect.

 

[Mainstay]

When you had it in your shop were you using your keyboard and mouse or were you using hers?

In my shop I used my own... but on-site I also used my own and 2 of hers.

NO other things were plugged in... power + vga + keyboard. That's it.

I've tried 3 different power cables as well (her original, a spare she had, and the new line that came with the new PS).

On the bench, we just use a standard power cable, nothing special.

 

[Porthos]

So without rereading thread, Does the computer get any juice and nothing shows on the MONITOR?

 

[nlinecomputers]

So without rereading thread, Does the computer get any juice and nothing shows on the MONITOR?

Read the thread. It is a whole lot more complicated than that.

 

[Mainstay]

So without rereading thread, Does the computer get any juice and nothing shows on the MONITOR?

The monitor is fine, and no output is generated by the computer while on site.

The system just does a beep code error which from the Dell website says it's a CMOS battery error, and fails to post, and fails to put anything to monitor. CMOS battery has been changed, without a change in results.

The computer on our bench [and our competitors] powers on just fine and outputs normally.

Starting to consider replacing the motherboard, but I'll leave that to the competitor.

 

[Porthos]

Read the thread. It is a whole lot more complicated than that.

I had read it in passing when it was about mid way. Just had that thought of the moment.

 

[TAPtech]

The only thing that is consistent here is your customer. She obviously has some sort of EMP emanating from her body and is futzing with the computer.

Is her house plugged into the grid or does she just power it herself?

 

[B Trevathan]

That's a great question. At this point in time I would add that any external device or cable that plugs into the mobo would be suspect.

Believe it or not I've had problems caused by keyboards being to close to each other. When I had two keyboards close to each other the computers would not power up, I moved the two keyboards apart and the computers powered up and booted,. I tried different keyboards and had no problems everything worked fine.

Since the only thing that seems to have changed is the PSU I was thinking maybe something is causing EMI / RFI with the new PSU. One post even said "They have quite a few other devices in that room".
Seems like about the only thing that wasn't tried was swapping the new PSU out with a different brand that might have been more tolerance to interference and maybe with more voltage tolerance.

What was the potential difference at the outlets and what was the input voltage tolerance listed on the PSU, for example 100V min. - 120V max. at 60Hz or 200V min. - 240V max at 50Hz.

 

[drjones]

Also any device you plug into the system may be shorted. Keyboard, monitor, mouse, etc.

This.

I had a very similar issue with a brand new Dell Opti 9020, like a $1600 top of the line machine.

I started a thread or two here, I was at my wits end.
Ended up being an HP printer that was connected via a USB to Parallel adapter; with that USB device plugged into the computer, the computer would not boot.

I would attach USB devices one at a time until you find the culprit. Also of course replace the power cord and surge protector / battery backup.

Good luck!

 

[Knightsman]

What about where it sits when you boot it. When its on your bench is it on wood? what about at her house.... carpet?

I think the computer is possessed and does not like the customer one bit.

 

[HFultzjr]

^^^^^^ This.

Handy for a LOT of things from laptop repair to why a lamp won't work to checking CMOS battery voltage, etc. etc.
Couldn't live without one.

 

[HFultzjr]

I'd look at a "faulty" power button" and just bad timing depending on when you try it. Also, don't rule out a flaky, just pull your hair out, PSU. Try a different one. I'd try those 2 things off the top of my head.