Xps 400 power light amber

[dellissue]

My power light is blinking amber, won't turn on but the green light on the motherboard is lit. Any ideas?

 

[dellissue]

Did all of the above and it did not correct the problem.

 

[ms171892]

My power light is blinking amber, won't turn on but the green light on the motherboard is lit. Any ideas?

I have an XPS 400 with the same issue. First I assumed the Power Supply so replaced it and had same problem. Okay, must be motherboard so ordered a replacement and still same problem.

Let me add that all testing was done with 'bare bones'. No HD / DVD / CD attached. Simply memory and video card.

So, since this machine has the 'Dell front panel from hell' I removed it to check it out a bit. Tried to isolate simply the power on but wasn't having much luck. Anyway, at one point the 16 pin connector was angled on and damn, the machine came on. If cable is seated fully, blinking light. If cable is angled on so as to not make contact on the upper side, system works fine.

At this point it has to be either cable or the front I/O panel and I'm betting on the I/O panel. Problem is they are not cheap to replace.