Dell XPS 420
I have an old Dell XPS 420 desktop that wouldn't power on today.-a I hadCorrect me if I'm wrong but it sounds like you fixed the problem and
a hunch that it might be the front power switch, so disconnected the
power from the motherboard and then located the green wire on the power supply.-a However, much to my surprise, there were two green wires.-a When
I jumpered one to ground, nothing, but when jumpering the other, power supply fan started up.
Before reconnecting power to the motherboard, I cut the green wire that
did work and temporarily extended it with a jumper wire.-a Power was reconnected and the jumper wire to ground.-a The power supply started,
but it was only after I then pressed the front power button on the
desktop that it started right up.-a In fact, I'm sending this message
from it now.
I'm a little confused about the wiring and power switch type.-a The
switch must have only partially failed since it still works with the aforementioned configuration.-a However, I think the option, to get
things back to normal, is to either replace it, which I think would be
next to impossible given the old age of the PC, or simply wire up a
toggle as a substitute, but not sure of the wiring.
Might it be as simple as snipping that additional green wire, splicing
both green wires together, and have that go to ground for start up/ turn off, or is it something more?-a I almost think a temporary switch is
needed somewhere since the front power button is only depressed until
power up and then released.
trying to keep everything simple, but it seems a little complicated to
me.-a Thanks in advance for any help.
On 1/31/2026 6:22 AM, Harvey Sanenbum wrote:
I have an old Dell XPS 420 desktop that wouldn't power on today.-a I
had a hunch that it might be the front power switch, so disconnected
the power from the motherboard and then located the green wire on the
power supply.-a However, much to my surprise, there were two green
wires.-a When I jumpered one to ground, nothing, but when jumpering the
other, power supply fan started up.
Before reconnecting power to the motherboard, I cut the green wire
that did work and temporarily extended it with a jumper wire.-a Power
was reconnected and the jumper wire to ground.-a The power supply
started, but it was only after I then pressed the front power button
on the desktop that it started right up.-a In fact, I'm sending this
message from it now.
I'm a little confused about the wiring and power switch type.-a The
switch must have only partially failed since it still works with the
aforementioned configuration.-a However, I think the option, to get
things back to normal, is to either replace it, which I think would be
next to impossible given the old age of the PC, or simply wire up a
toggle as a substitute, but not sure of the wiring.
Might it be as simple as snipping that additional green wire, splicing
both green wires together, and have that go to ground for start up/
turn off, or is it something more?-a I almost think a temporary switch
is needed somewhere since the front power button is only depressed
until power up and then released.
trying to keep everything simple, but it seems a little complicated to
me.-a Thanks in advance for any help.
Correct me if I'm wrong but it sounds like you fixed the problem and
there's no need to replace the front panel power switch.
I'm unclear, however, whether the power switch is, by design, a
momentary contact switch - only on while depressed, or a toggle switch -
on when depressed and remains on until pushed again when in turns off.
On 1/31/26 12:46 PM, Bennett Price wrote:
On 1/31/2026 6:22 AM, Harvey Sanenbum wrote:
I have an old Dell XPS 420 desktop that wouldn't power on today.-a I
had a hunch that it might be the front power switch, so disconnected
the power from the motherboard and then located the green wire on the
power supply.-a However, much to my surprise, there were two green
wires.-a When I jumpered one to ground, nothing, but when jumpering
the other, power supply fan started up.
Before reconnecting power to the motherboard, I cut the green wire
that did work and temporarily extended it with a jumper wire.-a Power
was reconnected and the jumper wire to ground.-a The power supply
started, but it was only after I then pressed the front power button
on the desktop that it started right up.-a In fact, I'm sending this
message from it now.
I'm a little confused about the wiring and power switch type.-a The
switch must have only partially failed since it still works with the
aforementioned configuration.-a However, I think the option, to get
things back to normal, is to either replace it, which I think would
be next to impossible given the old age of the PC, or simply wire up
a toggle as a substitute, but not sure of the wiring.
Might it be as simple as snipping that additional green wire,
splicing both green wires together, and have that go to ground for
start up/ turn off, or is it something more?-a I almost think a
temporary switch is needed somewhere since the front power button is
only depressed until power up and then released.
trying to keep everything simple, but it seems a little complicated
to me.-a Thanks in advance for any help.
Correct me if I'm wrong but it sounds like you fixed the problem and
there's no need to replace the front panel power switch.
Sort of.-a I have a SPST toggle switch that connects the one green line
to the power supply and ground.-a I cut that green line to the motherboard.-a If I enable the toggle switch, the power supply fan begins
to turn at a rapid pace until I press the button on the front of the desktop, then boot up as normal.
So, by activating the toggle switch I added, and then pushing the PC
power button on the front of the desktop momentarily, the PC boots up.
If no other solution, I guess I could use it this way either until I
find out the correct wiring data for replacing with a single switch or obtaining an original replacement PC switch board.-a I really need to
have this desktop functional.
I'm unclear, however, whether the power switch is, by design, a
momentary contact switch - only on while depressed, or a toggle switch
- on when depressed and remains on until pushed again when in turns off.
On 1/31/26 12:46 PM, Bennett Price wrote:
On 1/31/2026 6:22 AM, Harvey Sanenbum wrote:
I have an old Dell XPS 420 desktop that wouldn't power on today.a I
had a hunch that it might be the front power switch, so disconnected
the power from the motherboard and then located the green wire on the
power supply.a However, much to my surprise, there were two green
wires.a When I jumpered one to ground, nothing, but when jumpering the
other, power supply fan started up.
Before reconnecting power to the motherboard, I cut the green wire
that did work and temporarily extended it with a jumper wire.a Power
was reconnected and the jumper wire to ground.a The power supply
started, but it was only after I then pressed the front power button
on the desktop that it started right up.a In fact, I'm sending this
message from it now.
I'm a little confused about the wiring and power switch type.a The
switch must have only partially failed since it still works with the
aforementioned configuration.a However, I think the option, to get
things back to normal, is to either replace it, which I think would be
next to impossible given the old age of the PC, or simply wire up a
toggle as a substitute, but not sure of the wiring.
Might it be as simple as snipping that additional green wire, splicing
both green wires together, and have that go to ground for start up/
turn off, or is it something more?a I almost think a temporary switch
is needed somewhere since the front power button is only depressed
until power up and then released.
trying to keep everything simple, but it seems a little complicated to
me.a Thanks in advance for any help.
Correct me if I'm wrong but it sounds like you fixed the problem and
there's no need to replace the front panel power switch.
Sort of. I have a SPST toggle switch that connects the one green line
to the power supply and ground. I cut that green line to the
motherboard. If I enable the toggle switch, the power supply fan begins
to turn at a rapid pace until I press the button on the front of the >desktop, then boot up as normal.
So, by activating the toggle switch I added, and then pushing the PC
power button on the front of the desktop momentarily, the PC boots up.
If no other solution, I guess I could use it this way either until I
find out the correct wiring data for replacing with a single switch or >obtaining an original replacement PC switch board. I really need to
have this desktop functional.
I'm unclear, however, whether the power switch is, by design, a
momentary contact switch - only on while depressed, or a toggle switch -
on when depressed and remains on until pushed again when in turns off.
On Sat, 31 Jan 2026 13:32:39 -0500, Harvey Sanenbum
<harvey50120@micro.net> wrote:
On 1/31/26 12:46 PM, Bennett Price wrote:
On 1/31/2026 6:22 AM, Harvey Sanenbum wrote:
I have an old Dell XPS 420 desktop that wouldn't power on today.-a I
had a hunch that it might be the front power switch, so disconnected
the power from the motherboard and then located the green wire on the
power supply.-a However, much to my surprise, there were two green
wires.-a When I jumpered one to ground, nothing, but when jumpering the >>>> other, power supply fan started up.
Before reconnecting power to the motherboard, I cut the green wire
that did work and temporarily extended it with a jumper wire.-a Power
was reconnected and the jumper wire to ground.-a The power supply
started, but it was only after I then pressed the front power button
on the desktop that it started right up.-a In fact, I'm sending this
message from it now.
I'm a little confused about the wiring and power switch type.-a The
switch must have only partially failed since it still works with the
aforementioned configuration.-a However, I think the option, to get
things back to normal, is to either replace it, which I think would be >>>> next to impossible given the old age of the PC, or simply wire up a
toggle as a substitute, but not sure of the wiring.
Might it be as simple as snipping that additional green wire, splicing >>>> both green wires together, and have that go to ground for start up/
turn off, or is it something more?-a I almost think a temporary switch >>>> is needed somewhere since the front power button is only depressed
until power up and then released.
trying to keep everything simple, but it seems a little complicated to >>>> me.-a Thanks in advance for any help.
Correct me if I'm wrong but it sounds like you fixed the problem and
there's no need to replace the front panel power switch.
Sort of. I have a SPST toggle switch that connects the one green line
to the power supply and ground. I cut that green line to the
motherboard. If I enable the toggle switch, the power supply fan begins
to turn at a rapid pace until I press the button on the front of the
desktop, then boot up as normal.
So, by activating the toggle switch I added, and then pushing the PC
power button on the front of the desktop momentarily, the PC boots up.
If no other solution, I guess I could use it this way either until I
find out the correct wiring data for replacing with a single switch or
obtaining an original replacement PC switch board. I really need to
have this desktop functional.
I'm unclear, however, whether the power switch is, by design, a
momentary contact switch - only on while depressed, or a toggle switch - >>> on when depressed and remains on until pushed again when in turns off.
Response to power-on is in bios - check coin cell battery on mobo.
RL
On 2/1/26 1:43 PM, legg wrote:
On Sat, 31 Jan 2026 13:32:39 -0500, Harvey Sanenbum
<harvey50120@micro.net> wrote:
On 1/31/26 12:46 PM, Bennett Price wrote:
On 1/31/2026 6:22 AM, Harvey Sanenbum wrote:
I have an old Dell XPS 420 desktop that wouldn't power on today.-a I >>>>> had a hunch that it might be the front power switch, so disconnected >>>>> the power from the motherboard and then located the green wire on the >>>>> power supply.-a However, much to my surprise, there were two green
wires.-a When I jumpered one to ground, nothing, but when jumpering the >>>>> other, power supply fan started up.
Before reconnecting power to the motherboard, I cut the green wire
that did work and temporarily extended it with a jumper wire.-a Power >>>>> was reconnected and the jumper wire to ground.-a The power supply
started, but it was only after I then pressed the front power button >>>>> on the desktop that it started right up.-a In fact, I'm sending this >>>>> message from it now.
I'm a little confused about the wiring and power switch type.-a The
switch must have only partially failed since it still works with the >>>>> aforementioned configuration.-a However, I think the option, to get
things back to normal, is to either replace it, which I think would be >>>>> next to impossible given the old age of the PC, or simply wire up a
toggle as a substitute, but not sure of the wiring.
Might it be as simple as snipping that additional green wire, splicing >>>>> both green wires together, and have that go to ground for start up/
turn off, or is it something more?-a I almost think a temporary switch >>>>> is needed somewhere since the front power button is only depressed
until power up and then released.
trying to keep everything simple, but it seems a little complicated to >>>>> me.-a Thanks in advance for any help.
Correct me if I'm wrong but it sounds like you fixed the problem and
there's no need to replace the front panel power switch.
Sort of.-a I have a SPST toggle switch that connects the one green line
to the power supply and ground.-a I cut that green line to the
motherboard.-a If I enable the toggle switch, the power supply fan begins >>> to turn at a rapid pace until I press the button on the front of the
desktop, then boot up as normal.
So, by activating the toggle switch I added, and then pushing the PC
power button on the front of the desktop momentarily, the PC boots up.
If no other solution, I guess I could use it this way either until I
find out the correct wiring data for replacing with a single switch or
obtaining an original replacement PC switch board.-a I really need to
have this desktop functional.
I'm unclear, however, whether the power switch is, by design, a
momentary contact switch - only on while depressed, or a toggle
switch -
on when depressed and remains on until pushed again when in turns off.
Response to power-on is in bios - check coin cell battery on mobo.
RL
Ahhh, good point.-a Something I hadn't thought of because my system auto syncs to the correct time everyday once I connect to the Internet.-a In
the BIOS however, just checked the date and time.-a Date is fine (today)
but time is slow by 8 hours.-a Time to do a battery swap I think.
On 2/1/26 3:28 PM, Harvey Sanenbum wrote:If the time was off by exactly 8 hours the time zone setting is wrong;
On 2/1/26 1:43 PM, legg wrote:
On Sat, 31 Jan 2026 13:32:39 -0500, Harvey Sanenbum
<harvey50120@micro.net> wrote:
On 1/31/26 12:46 PM, Bennett Price wrote:Response to power-on is in bios - check coin cell battery on mobo.
On 1/31/2026 6:22 AM, Harvey Sanenbum wrote:
I have an old Dell XPS 420 desktop that wouldn't power on today.-a I >>>>>> had a hunch that it might be the front power switch, so disconnected >>>>>> the power from the motherboard and then located the green wire on the >>>>>> power supply.-a However, much to my surprise, there were two green >>>>>> wires.-a When I jumpered one to ground, nothing, but when jumpering >>>>>> the
other, power supply fan started up.
Before reconnecting power to the motherboard, I cut the green wire >>>>>> that did work and temporarily extended it with a jumper wire.-a Power >>>>>> was reconnected and the jumper wire to ground.-a The power supply
started, but it was only after I then pressed the front power button >>>>>> on the desktop that it started right up.-a In fact, I'm sending this >>>>>> message from it now.
I'm a little confused about the wiring and power switch type.-a The >>>>>> switch must have only partially failed since it still works with the >>>>>> aforementioned configuration.-a However, I think the option, to get >>>>>> things back to normal, is to either replace it, which I think
would be
next to impossible given the old age of the PC, or simply wire up a >>>>>> toggle as a substitute, but not sure of the wiring.
Might it be as simple as snipping that additional green wire,
splicing
both green wires together, and have that go to ground for start up/ >>>>>> turn off, or is it something more?-a I almost think a temporary switch >>>>>> is needed somewhere since the front power button is only depressed >>>>>> until power up and then released.
trying to keep everything simple, but it seems a little
complicated to
me.-a Thanks in advance for any help.
Correct me if I'm wrong but it sounds like you fixed the problem and >>>>> there's no need to replace the front panel power switch.
Sort of.-a I have a SPST toggle switch that connects the one green line >>>> to the power supply and ground.-a I cut that green line to the
motherboard.-a If I enable the toggle switch, the power supply fan
begins
to turn at a rapid pace until I press the button on the front of the
desktop, then boot up as normal.
So, by activating the toggle switch I added, and then pushing the PC
power button on the front of the desktop momentarily, the PC boots up. >>>>
If no other solution, I guess I could use it this way either until I
find out the correct wiring data for replacing with a single switch or >>>> obtaining an original replacement PC switch board.-a I really need to
have this desktop functional.
I'm unclear, however, whether the power switch is, by design, a
momentary contact switch - only on while depressed, or a toggle
switch -
on when depressed and remains on until pushed again when in turns off. >>>
RL
Ahhh, good point.-a Something I hadn't thought of because my system
auto syncs to the correct time everyday once I connect to the
Internet.-a In the BIOS however, just checked the date and time.-a Date
is fine (today) but time is slow by 8 hours.-a Time to do a battery
swap I think.
No fresh batteries on hand, so ordered one today.-a Once installed, will rewire as normal, see what happens, and report back.-a I'm also going to save this thread for future reference because I have another desktop
that refused to boot up one day that I'm wondering whether or not had
the same problem.-a Going to check it out later this week.
On 2/2/2026 7:49 AM, Harvey Sanenbum wrote:
On 2/1/26 3:28 PM, Harvey Sanenbum wrote:If the time was off by exactly 8 hours the time zone setting is wrong; perhaps defaulting to Greenwich time.
On 2/1/26 1:43 PM, legg wrote:
On Sat, 31 Jan 2026 13:32:39 -0500, Harvey Sanenbum
<harvey50120@micro.net> wrote:
On 1/31/26 12:46 PM, Bennett Price wrote:
On 1/31/2026 6:22 AM, Harvey Sanenbum wrote:
I have an old Dell XPS 420 desktop that wouldn't power on today.-a I >>>>>>> had a hunch that it might be the front power switch, so disconnected >>>>>>> the power from the motherboard and then located the green wire on >>>>>>> the
power supply.-a However, much to my surprise, there were two green >>>>>>> wires.-a When I jumpered one to ground, nothing, but when
jumpering the
other, power supply fan started up.
Before reconnecting power to the motherboard, I cut the green wire >>>>>>> that did work and temporarily extended it with a jumper wire.-a Power >>>>>>> was reconnected and the jumper wire to ground.-a The power supply >>>>>>> started, but it was only after I then pressed the front power button >>>>>>> on the desktop that it started right up.-a In fact, I'm sending this >>>>>>> message from it now.
I'm a little confused about the wiring and power switch type.-a The >>>>>>> switch must have only partially failed since it still works with the >>>>>>> aforementioned configuration.-a However, I think the option, to get >>>>>>> things back to normal, is to either replace it, which I think
would be
next to impossible given the old age of the PC, or simply wire up a >>>>>>> toggle as a substitute, but not sure of the wiring.
Might it be as simple as snipping that additional green wire,
splicing
both green wires together, and have that go to ground for start up/ >>>>>>> turn off, or is it something more?-a I almost think a temporary >>>>>>> switch
is needed somewhere since the front power button is only depressed >>>>>>> until power up and then released.
trying to keep everything simple, but it seems a little
complicated to
me.-a Thanks in advance for any help.
Correct me if I'm wrong but it sounds like you fixed the problem and >>>>>> there's no need to replace the front panel power switch.
Sort of.-a I have a SPST toggle switch that connects the one green line >>>>> to the power supply and ground.-a I cut that green line to the
motherboard.-a If I enable the toggle switch, the power supply fan
begins
to turn at a rapid pace until I press the button on the front of the >>>>> desktop, then boot up as normal.
So, by activating the toggle switch I added, and then pushing the PC >>>>> power button on the front of the desktop momentarily, the PC boots up. >>>>>
If no other solution, I guess I could use it this way either until I >>>>> find out the correct wiring data for replacing with a single switch or >>>>> obtaining an original replacement PC switch board.-a I really need to >>>>> have this desktop functional.
I'm unclear, however, whether the power switch is, by design, a
momentary contact switch - only on while depressed, or a toggle
switch -
on when depressed and remains on until pushed again when in turns >>>>>> off.
Response to power-on is in bios - check coin cell battery on mobo.
RL
Ahhh, good point.-a Something I hadn't thought of because my system
auto syncs to the correct time everyday once I connect to the
Internet.-a In the BIOS however, just checked the date and time.-a Date >>> is fine (today) but time is slow by 8 hours.-a Time to do a battery
swap I think.
No fresh batteries on hand, so ordered one today.-a Once installed,
will rewire as normal, see what happens, and report back.-a I'm also
going to save this thread for future reference because I have another
desktop that refused to boot up one day that I'm wondering whether or
not had the same problem.-a Going to check it out later this week.
On 2/2/26 4:02 PM, Bennett Price wrote:If your cmos content is clobbered, a new battery will not magically
On 2/2/2026 7:49 AM, Harvey Sanenbum wrote:
On 2/1/26 3:28 PM, Harvey Sanenbum wrote:If the time was off by exactly 8 hours the time zone setting is wrong;
On 2/1/26 1:43 PM, legg wrote:
On Sat, 31 Jan 2026 13:32:39 -0500, Harvey Sanenbum
<harvey50120@micro.net> wrote:
On 1/31/26 12:46 PM, Bennett Price wrote:
On 1/31/2026 6:22 AM, Harvey Sanenbum wrote:
I have an old Dell XPS 420 desktop that wouldn't power on today.-a I >>>>>>>> had a hunch that it might be the front power switch, so
disconnected
the power from the motherboard and then located the green wire >>>>>>>> on the
power supply.-a However, much to my surprise, there were two green >>>>>>>> wires.-a When I jumpered one to ground, nothing, but when
jumpering the
other, power supply fan started up.
Before reconnecting power to the motherboard, I cut the green wire >>>>>>>> that did work and temporarily extended it with a jumper wire. >>>>>>>> Power
was reconnected and the jumper wire to ground.-a The power supply >>>>>>>> started, but it was only after I then pressed the front power >>>>>>>> button
on the desktop that it started right up.-a In fact, I'm sending this >>>>>>>> message from it now.
I'm a little confused about the wiring and power switch type.-a The >>>>>>>> switch must have only partially failed since it still works with >>>>>>>> the
aforementioned configuration.-a However, I think the option, to get >>>>>>>> things back to normal, is to either replace it, which I think >>>>>>>> would be
next to impossible given the old age of the PC, or simply wire up a >>>>>>>> toggle as a substitute, but not sure of the wiring.
Might it be as simple as snipping that additional green wire, >>>>>>>> splicing
both green wires together, and have that go to ground for start up/ >>>>>>>> turn off, or is it something more?-a I almost think a temporary >>>>>>>> switch
is needed somewhere since the front power button is only depressed >>>>>>>> until power up and then released.
trying to keep everything simple, but it seems a little
complicated to
me.-a Thanks in advance for any help.
Correct me if I'm wrong but it sounds like you fixed the problem and >>>>>>> there's no need to replace the front panel power switch.
Sort of.-a I have a SPST toggle switch that connects the one green >>>>>> line
to the power supply and ground.-a I cut that green line to the
motherboard.-a If I enable the toggle switch, the power supply fan >>>>>> begins
to turn at a rapid pace until I press the button on the front of the >>>>>> desktop, then boot up as normal.
So, by activating the toggle switch I added, and then pushing the PC >>>>>> power button on the front of the desktop momentarily, the PC boots >>>>>> up.
If no other solution, I guess I could use it this way either until I >>>>>> find out the correct wiring data for replacing with a single
switch or
obtaining an original replacement PC switch board.-a I really need to >>>>>> have this desktop functional.
I'm unclear, however, whether the power switch is, by design, a
momentary contact switch - only on while depressed, or a toggle >>>>>>> switch -
on when depressed and remains on until pushed again when in turns >>>>>>> off.
Response to power-on is in bios - check coin cell battery on mobo.
RL
Ahhh, good point.-a Something I hadn't thought of because my system
auto syncs to the correct time everyday once I connect to the
Internet.-a In the BIOS however, just checked the date and time.
Date is fine (today) but time is slow by 8 hours.-a Time to do a
battery swap I think.
No fresh batteries on hand, so ordered one today.-a Once installed,
will rewire as normal, see what happens, and report back.-a I'm also
going to save this thread for future reference because I have another
desktop that refused to boot up one day that I'm wondering whether or
not had the same problem.-a Going to check it out later this week.
perhaps defaulting to Greenwich time.
Fresh battery installed and still no boot up, so went back to the
modified configuration.-a Any more ideas welcome.
On 2/2/26 16:36, Harvey Sanenbum wrote:
On 2/2/26 4:02 PM, Bennett Price wrote:If your cmos content is clobbered, a new battery will not magically
On 2/2/2026 7:49 AM, Harvey Sanenbum wrote:
On 2/1/26 3:28 PM, Harvey Sanenbum wrote:If the time was off by exactly 8 hours the time zone setting is
On 2/1/26 1:43 PM, legg wrote:
On Sat, 31 Jan 2026 13:32:39 -0500, Harvey Sanenbum
<harvey50120@micro.net> wrote:
On 1/31/26 12:46 PM, Bennett Price wrote:
On 1/31/2026 6:22 AM, Harvey Sanenbum wrote:
I have an old Dell XPS 420 desktop that wouldn't power on
today.-a I
had a hunch that it might be the front power switch, so
disconnected
the power from the motherboard and then located the green wire >>>>>>>>> on the
power supply.-a However, much to my surprise, there were two green >>>>>>>>> wires.-a When I jumpered one to ground, nothing, but when
jumpering the
other, power supply fan started up.
Before reconnecting power to the motherboard, I cut the green wire >>>>>>>>> that did work and temporarily extended it with a jumper wire. >>>>>>>>> Power
was reconnected and the jumper wire to ground.-a The power supply >>>>>>>>> started, but it was only after I then pressed the front power >>>>>>>>> button
on the desktop that it started right up.-a In fact, I'm sending >>>>>>>>> this
message from it now.
I'm a little confused about the wiring and power switch type.-a The >>>>>>>>> switch must have only partially failed since it still works >>>>>>>>> with the
aforementioned configuration.-a However, I think the option, to get >>>>>>>>> things back to normal, is to either replace it, which I think >>>>>>>>> would be
next to impossible given the old age of the PC, or simply wire >>>>>>>>> up a
toggle as a substitute, but not sure of the wiring.
Might it be as simple as snipping that additional green wire, >>>>>>>>> splicing
both green wires together, and have that go to ground for start >>>>>>>>> up/
turn off, or is it something more?-a I almost think a temporary >>>>>>>>> switch
is needed somewhere since the front power button is only depressed >>>>>>>>> until power up and then released.
trying to keep everything simple, but it seems a little
complicated to
me.-a Thanks in advance for any help.
Correct me if I'm wrong but it sounds like you fixed the problem >>>>>>>> and
there's no need to replace the front panel power switch.
Sort of.-a I have a SPST toggle switch that connects the one green >>>>>>> line
to the power supply and ground.-a I cut that green line to the
motherboard.-a If I enable the toggle switch, the power supply fan >>>>>>> begins
to turn at a rapid pace until I press the button on the front of the >>>>>>> desktop, then boot up as normal.
So, by activating the toggle switch I added, and then pushing the PC >>>>>>> power button on the front of the desktop momentarily, the PC
boots up.
If no other solution, I guess I could use it this way either until I >>>>>>> find out the correct wiring data for replacing with a single
switch or
obtaining an original replacement PC switch board.-a I really need to >>>>>>> have this desktop functional.
I'm unclear, however, whether the power switch is, by design, a >>>>>>>> momentary contact switch - only on while depressed, or a toggle >>>>>>>> switch -
on when depressed and remains on until pushed again when in
turns off.
Response to power-on is in bios - check coin cell battery on mobo. >>>>>>
RL
Ahhh, good point.-a Something I hadn't thought of because my system >>>>> auto syncs to the correct time everyday once I connect to the
Internet.-a In the BIOS however, just checked the date and time.
Date is fine (today) but time is slow by 8 hours.-a Time to do a
battery swap I think.
No fresh batteries on hand, so ordered one today.-a Once installed,
will rewire as normal, see what happens, and report back.-a I'm also
going to save this thread for future reference because I have
another desktop that refused to boot up one day that I'm wondering
whether or not had the same problem.-a Going to check it out later
this week.
wrong; perhaps defaulting to Greenwich time.
Fresh battery installed and still no boot up, so went back to the
modified configuration.-a Any more ideas welcome.
restore them. Can you boot into bios mode? If so, look for messed up
cmos content, reset to defaults if it's scrambled. Then you may have a chance to set the correct values. That 8 hr time error is a clue, it
looks as if the timezone offset has gone to "0", GMT zone.
On 2/3/26 2:00 AM, wmartin wrote:
On 2/2/26 16:36, Harvey Sanenbum wrote:
On 2/2/26 4:02 PM, Bennett Price wrote:If your cmos content is clobbered, a new battery will not magically
On 2/2/2026 7:49 AM, Harvey Sanenbum wrote:
On 2/1/26 3:28 PM, Harvey Sanenbum wrote:If the time was off by exactly 8 hours the time zone setting is
On 2/1/26 1:43 PM, legg wrote:
On Sat, 31 Jan 2026 13:32:39 -0500, Harvey Sanenbum
<harvey50120@micro.net> wrote:
On 1/31/26 12:46 PM, Bennett Price wrote:
On 1/31/2026 6:22 AM, Harvey Sanenbum wrote:
I have an old Dell XPS 420 desktop that wouldn't power on >>>>>>>>>> today.a I
had a hunch that it might be the front power switch, so
disconnected
the power from the motherboard and then located the green wire >>>>>>>>>> on the
power supply.a However, much to my surprise, there were two green >>>>>>>>>> wires.a When I jumpered one to ground, nothing, but when
jumpering the
other, power supply fan started up.
Before reconnecting power to the motherboard, I cut the green wire >>>>>>>>>> that did work and temporarily extended it with a jumper wire. >>>>>>>>>> Power
was reconnected and the jumper wire to ground.a The power supply >>>>>>>>>> started, but it was only after I then pressed the front power >>>>>>>>>> button
on the desktop that it started right up.a In fact, I'm sending >>>>>>>>>> this
message from it now.
I'm a little confused about the wiring and power switch type.a The >>>>>>>>>> switch must have only partially failed since it still works >>>>>>>>>> with the
aforementioned configuration.a However, I think the option, to get >>>>>>>>>> things back to normal, is to either replace it, which I think >>>>>>>>>> would be
next to impossible given the old age of the PC, or simply wire >>>>>>>>>> up a
toggle as a substitute, but not sure of the wiring.
Might it be as simple as snipping that additional green wire, >>>>>>>>>> splicing
both green wires together, and have that go to ground for start >>>>>>>>>> up/
turn off, or is it something more?a I almost think a temporary >>>>>>>>>> switch
is needed somewhere since the front power button is only depressed >>>>>>>>>> until power up and then released.
trying to keep everything simple, but it seems a little
complicated to
me.a Thanks in advance for any help.
Correct me if I'm wrong but it sounds like you fixed the problem >>>>>>>>> and
there's no need to replace the front panel power switch.
Sort of.a I have a SPST toggle switch that connects the one green >>>>>>>> line
to the power supply and ground.a I cut that green line to the
motherboard.a If I enable the toggle switch, the power supply fan >>>>>>>> begins
to turn at a rapid pace until I press the button on the front of the >>>>>>>> desktop, then boot up as normal.
So, by activating the toggle switch I added, and then pushing the PC >>>>>>>> power button on the front of the desktop momentarily, the PC
boots up.
If no other solution, I guess I could use it this way either until I >>>>>>>> find out the correct wiring data for replacing with a single
switch or
obtaining an original replacement PC switch board.a I really need to >>>>>>>> have this desktop functional.
I'm unclear, however, whether the power switch is, by design, a >>>>>>>>> momentary contact switch - only on while depressed, or a toggle >>>>>>>>> switch -
on when depressed and remains on until pushed again when in >>>>>>>>> turns off.
Response to power-on is in bios - check coin cell battery on mobo. >>>>>>>
RL
Ahhh, good point.a Something I hadn't thought of because my system >>>>>> auto syncs to the correct time everyday once I connect to the
Internet.a In the BIOS however, just checked the date and time.
Date is fine (today) but time is slow by 8 hours.a Time to do a
battery swap I think.
No fresh batteries on hand, so ordered one today.a Once installed,
will rewire as normal, see what happens, and report back.a I'm also >>>>> going to save this thread for future reference because I have
another desktop that refused to boot up one day that I'm wondering
whether or not had the same problem.a Going to check it out later
this week.
wrong; perhaps defaulting to Greenwich time.
Fresh battery installed and still no boot up, so went back to the
modified configuration.a Any more ideas welcome.
restore them. Can you boot into bios mode? If so, look for messed up
cmos content, reset to defaults if it's scrambled. Then you may have a
chance to set the correct values. That 8 hr time error is a clue, it
looks as if the timezone offset has gone to "0", GMT zone.
I took screen photos with my digital camera for each and every current >setting before switching out the battery. Then it was just a matter of >going back through the images and copying those settings in BIOS after >battery replacement. Everything is as it was before swapping out the >battery. Unless you are saying that a setting was somehow off before
the battery switch in which case I would have no idea which one and
would appreciate some clues. Yes, BIOS is easily accessible.
On 2/3/26 2:00 AM, wmartin wrote:
On 2/2/26 16:36, Harvey Sanenbum wrote:
On 2/2/26 4:02 PM, Bennett Price wrote:If your cmos content is clobbered, a new battery will not magically
On 2/2/2026 7:49 AM, Harvey Sanenbum wrote:
On 2/1/26 3:28 PM, Harvey Sanenbum wrote:If the time was off by exactly 8 hours the time zone setting is
On 2/1/26 1:43 PM, legg wrote:
On Sat, 31 Jan 2026 13:32:39 -0500, Harvey Sanenbum
<harvey50120@micro.net> wrote:
On 1/31/26 12:46 PM, Bennett Price wrote:
On 1/31/2026 6:22 AM, Harvey Sanenbum wrote:
I have an old Dell XPS 420 desktop that wouldn't power on >>>>>>>>>> today.-a I
had a hunch that it might be the front power switch, so
disconnected
the power from the motherboard and then located the green wire >>>>>>>>>> on the
power supply.-a However, much to my surprise, there were two green >>>>>>>>>> wires.-a When I jumpered one to ground, nothing, but when >>>>>>>>>> jumpering the
other, power supply fan started up.
Before reconnecting power to the motherboard, I cut the green >>>>>>>>>> wire
that did work and temporarily extended it with a jumper wire. >>>>>>>>>> Power
was reconnected and the jumper wire to ground.-a The power supply >>>>>>>>>> started, but it was only after I then pressed the front power >>>>>>>>>> button
on the desktop that it started right up.-a In fact, I'm sending >>>>>>>>>> this
message from it now.
I'm a little confused about the wiring and power switch type. >>>>>>>>>> The
switch must have only partially failed since it still works >>>>>>>>>> with the
aforementioned configuration.-a However, I think the option, to >>>>>>>>>> get
things back to normal, is to either replace it, which I think >>>>>>>>>> would be
next to impossible given the old age of the PC, or simply wire >>>>>>>>>> up a
toggle as a substitute, but not sure of the wiring.
Might it be as simple as snipping that additional green wire, >>>>>>>>>> splicing
both green wires together, and have that go to ground for >>>>>>>>>> start up/
turn off, or is it something more?-a I almost think a temporary >>>>>>>>>> switch
is needed somewhere since the front power button is only
depressed
until power up and then released.
trying to keep everything simple, but it seems a little
complicated to
me.-a Thanks in advance for any help.
Correct me if I'm wrong but it sounds like you fixed the
problem and
there's no need to replace the front panel power switch.
Sort of.-a I have a SPST toggle switch that connects the one
green line
to the power supply and ground.-a I cut that green line to the >>>>>>>> motherboard.-a If I enable the toggle switch, the power supply >>>>>>>> fan begins
to turn at a rapid pace until I press the button on the front of >>>>>>>> the
desktop, then boot up as normal.
So, by activating the toggle switch I added, and then pushing >>>>>>>> the PC
power button on the front of the desktop momentarily, the PC
boots up.
If no other solution, I guess I could use it this way either
until I
find out the correct wiring data for replacing with a single
switch or
obtaining an original replacement PC switch board.-a I really >>>>>>>> need to
have this desktop functional.
I'm unclear, however, whether the power switch is, by design, a >>>>>>>>> momentary contact switch - only on while depressed, or a toggle >>>>>>>>> switch -
on when depressed and remains on until pushed again when in >>>>>>>>> turns off.
Response to power-on is in bios - check coin cell battery on mobo. >>>>>>>
RL
Ahhh, good point.-a Something I hadn't thought of because my system >>>>>> auto syncs to the correct time everyday once I connect to the
Internet.-a In the BIOS however, just checked the date and time.
Date is fine (today) but time is slow by 8 hours.-a Time to do a
battery swap I think.
No fresh batteries on hand, so ordered one today.-a Once installed, >>>>> will rewire as normal, see what happens, and report back.-a I'm also >>>>> going to save this thread for future reference because I have
another desktop that refused to boot up one day that I'm wondering
whether or not had the same problem.-a Going to check it out later
this week.
wrong; perhaps defaulting to Greenwich time.
Fresh battery installed and still no boot up, so went back to the
modified configuration.-a Any more ideas welcome.
restore them. Can you boot into bios mode? If so, look for messed up
cmos content, reset to defaults if it's scrambled. Then you may have a
chance to set the correct values. That 8 hr time error is a clue, it
looks as if the timezone offset has gone to "0", GMT zone.
I took screen photos with my digital camera for each and every current setting before switching out the battery.-a Then it was just a matter of going back through the images and copying those settings in BIOS after battery replacement.-a Everything is as it was before swapping out the battery.-a Unless you are saying that a setting was somehow off before
the battery switch in which case I would have no idea which one and
would appreciate some clues.-a Yes, BIOS is easily accessible.
On 2/3/26 07:18, Harvey Sanenbum wrote:
On 2/3/26 2:00 AM, wmartin wrote:A previous to battery change error is exactly what I suspected, given
On 2/2/26 16:36, Harvey Sanenbum wrote:
On 2/2/26 4:02 PM, Bennett Price wrote:If your cmos content is clobbered, a new battery will not magically
On 2/2/2026 7:49 AM, Harvey Sanenbum wrote:
On 2/1/26 3:28 PM, Harvey Sanenbum wrote:If the time was off by exactly 8 hours the time zone setting is
On 2/1/26 1:43 PM, legg wrote:
On Sat, 31 Jan 2026 13:32:39 -0500, Harvey Sanenbum
<harvey50120@micro.net> wrote:
On 1/31/26 12:46 PM, Bennett Price wrote:
On 1/31/2026 6:22 AM, Harvey Sanenbum wrote:
I have an old Dell XPS 420 desktop that wouldn't power on >>>>>>>>>>> today.-a I
had a hunch that it might be the front power switch, so >>>>>>>>>>> disconnected
the power from the motherboard and then located the green >>>>>>>>>>> wire on the
power supply.-a However, much to my surprise, there were two >>>>>>>>>>> green
wires.-a When I jumpered one to ground, nothing, but when >>>>>>>>>>> jumpering the
other, power supply fan started up.
Before reconnecting power to the motherboard, I cut the green >>>>>>>>>>> wire
that did work and temporarily extended it with a jumper wire. >>>>>>>>>>> Power
was reconnected and the jumper wire to ground.-a The power supply >>>>>>>>>>> started, but it was only after I then pressed the front power >>>>>>>>>>> button
on the desktop that it started right up.-a In fact, I'm >>>>>>>>>>> sending this
message from it now.
I'm a little confused about the wiring and power switch type. >>>>>>>>>>> The
switch must have only partially failed since it still works >>>>>>>>>>> with the
aforementioned configuration.-a However, I think the option, >>>>>>>>>>> to get
things back to normal, is to either replace it, which I think >>>>>>>>>>> would be
next to impossible given the old age of the PC, or simply >>>>>>>>>>> wire up a
toggle as a substitute, but not sure of the wiring.
Might it be as simple as snipping that additional green wire, >>>>>>>>>>> splicing
both green wires together, and have that go to ground for >>>>>>>>>>> start up/
turn off, or is it something more?-a I almost think a
temporary switch
is needed somewhere since the front power button is only >>>>>>>>>>> depressed
until power up and then released.
trying to keep everything simple, but it seems a little >>>>>>>>>>> complicated to
me.-a Thanks in advance for any help.
Correct me if I'm wrong but it sounds like you fixed the
problem and
there's no need to replace the front panel power switch.
Sort of.-a I have a SPST toggle switch that connects the one >>>>>>>>> green line
to the power supply and ground.-a I cut that green line to the >>>>>>>>> motherboard.-a If I enable the toggle switch, the power supply >>>>>>>>> fan begins
to turn at a rapid pace until I press the button on the front >>>>>>>>> of the
desktop, then boot up as normal.
So, by activating the toggle switch I added, and then pushing >>>>>>>>> the PC
power button on the front of the desktop momentarily, the PC >>>>>>>>> boots up.
If no other solution, I guess I could use it this way either >>>>>>>>> until I
find out the correct wiring data for replacing with a single >>>>>>>>> switch or
obtaining an original replacement PC switch board.-a I really >>>>>>>>> need to
have this desktop functional.
I'm unclear, however, whether the power switch is, by design, a >>>>>>>>>> momentary contact switch - only on while depressed, or a
toggle switch -
on when depressed and remains on until pushed again when in >>>>>>>>>> turns off.
Response to power-on is in bios - check coin cell battery on mobo. >>>>>>>>
RL
Ahhh, good point.-a Something I hadn't thought of because my
system auto syncs to the correct time everyday once I connect to >>>>>>> the Internet.-a In the BIOS however, just checked the date and
time. Date is fine (today) but time is slow by 8 hours.-a Time to >>>>>>> do a battery swap I think.
No fresh batteries on hand, so ordered one today.-a Once installed, >>>>>> will rewire as normal, see what happens, and report back.-a I'm
also going to save this thread for future reference because I have >>>>>> another desktop that refused to boot up one day that I'm wondering >>>>>> whether or not had the same problem.-a Going to check it out later >>>>>> this week.
wrong; perhaps defaulting to Greenwich time.
Fresh battery installed and still no boot up, so went back to the
modified configuration.-a Any more ideas welcome.
restore them. Can you boot into bios mode? If so, look for messed up
cmos content, reset to defaults if it's scrambled. Then you may have
a chance to set the correct values. That 8 hr time error is a clue,
it looks as if the timezone offset has gone to "0", GMT zone.
I took screen photos with my digital camera for each and every current
setting before switching out the battery.-a Then it was just a matter
of going back through the images and copying those settings in BIOS
after battery replacement.-a Everything is as it was before swapping
out the battery.-a Unless you are saying that a setting was somehow off
before the battery switch in which case I would have no idea which one
and would appreciate some clues.-a Yes, BIOS is easily accessible.
the time zone problem. So putting back the settings you found may be
suspect still...most likely you will have to "discover" what is correct
for the installed disks, etc. Do you have any way to find the specs on
your disk drive, so as to confirm what the bios thinks is correct is actually correct? Or something else to plug the disk into to see if has
a valid boot sector?
On Tue, 3 Feb 2026 10:18:14 -0500, Harvey Sanenbum
<harvey50120@micro.net> wrote:
On 2/3/26 2:00 AM, wmartin wrote:
On 2/2/26 16:36, Harvey Sanenbum wrote:
On 2/2/26 4:02 PM, Bennett Price wrote:If your cmos content is clobbered, a new battery will not magically
On 2/2/2026 7:49 AM, Harvey Sanenbum wrote:
On 2/1/26 3:28 PM, Harvey Sanenbum wrote:If the time was off by exactly 8 hours the time zone setting is
On 2/1/26 1:43 PM, legg wrote:
On Sat, 31 Jan 2026 13:32:39 -0500, Harvey Sanenbum
<harvey50120@micro.net> wrote:
On 1/31/26 12:46 PM, Bennett Price wrote:
On 1/31/2026 6:22 AM, Harvey Sanenbum wrote:
I have an old Dell XPS 420 desktop that wouldn't power on >>>>>>>>>>> today.-a I
had a hunch that it might be the front power switch, so
disconnected
the power from the motherboard and then located the green wire >>>>>>>>>>> on the
power supply.-a However, much to my surprise, there were two green >>>>>>>>>>> wires.-a When I jumpered one to ground, nothing, but when >>>>>>>>>>> jumpering the
other, power supply fan started up.
Before reconnecting power to the motherboard, I cut the green wire >>>>>>>>>>> that did work and temporarily extended it with a jumper wire. >>>>>>>>>>> Power
was reconnected and the jumper wire to ground.-a The power supply >>>>>>>>>>> started, but it was only after I then pressed the front power >>>>>>>>>>> button
on the desktop that it started right up.-a In fact, I'm sending >>>>>>>>>>> this
message from it now.
I'm a little confused about the wiring and power switch type.-a The >>>>>>>>>>> switch must have only partially failed since it still works >>>>>>>>>>> with the
aforementioned configuration.-a However, I think the option, to get >>>>>>>>>>> things back to normal, is to either replace it, which I think >>>>>>>>>>> would be
next to impossible given the old age of the PC, or simply wire >>>>>>>>>>> up a
toggle as a substitute, but not sure of the wiring.
Might it be as simple as snipping that additional green wire, >>>>>>>>>>> splicing
both green wires together, and have that go to ground for start >>>>>>>>>>> up/
turn off, or is it something more?-a I almost think a temporary >>>>>>>>>>> switch
is needed somewhere since the front power button is only depressed >>>>>>>>>>> until power up and then released.
trying to keep everything simple, but it seems a little
complicated to
me.-a Thanks in advance for any help.
Correct me if I'm wrong but it sounds like you fixed the problem >>>>>>>>>> and
there's no need to replace the front panel power switch.
Sort of.-a I have a SPST toggle switch that connects the one green >>>>>>>>> line
to the power supply and ground.-a I cut that green line to the >>>>>>>>> motherboard.-a If I enable the toggle switch, the power supply fan >>>>>>>>> begins
to turn at a rapid pace until I press the button on the front of the >>>>>>>>> desktop, then boot up as normal.
So, by activating the toggle switch I added, and then pushing the PC >>>>>>>>> power button on the front of the desktop momentarily, the PC >>>>>>>>> boots up.
If no other solution, I guess I could use it this way either until I >>>>>>>>> find out the correct wiring data for replacing with a single >>>>>>>>> switch or
obtaining an original replacement PC switch board.-a I really need to >>>>>>>>> have this desktop functional.
I'm unclear, however, whether the power switch is, by design, a >>>>>>>>>> momentary contact switch - only on while depressed, or a toggle >>>>>>>>>> switch -
on when depressed and remains on until pushed again when in >>>>>>>>>> turns off.
Response to power-on is in bios - check coin cell battery on mobo. >>>>>>>>
RL
Ahhh, good point.-a Something I hadn't thought of because my system >>>>>>> auto syncs to the correct time everyday once I connect to the
Internet.-a In the BIOS however, just checked the date and time. >>>>>>> Date is fine (today) but time is slow by 8 hours.-a Time to do a >>>>>>> battery swap I think.
No fresh batteries on hand, so ordered one today.-a Once installed, >>>>>> will rewire as normal, see what happens, and report back.-a I'm also >>>>>> going to save this thread for future reference because I have
another desktop that refused to boot up one day that I'm wondering >>>>>> whether or not had the same problem.-a Going to check it out later >>>>>> this week.
wrong; perhaps defaulting to Greenwich time.
Fresh battery installed and still no boot up, so went back to the
modified configuration.-a Any more ideas welcome.
restore them. Can you boot into bios mode? If so, look for messed up
cmos content, reset to defaults if it's scrambled. Then you may have a
chance to set the correct values. That 8 hr time error is a clue, it
looks as if the timezone offset has gone to "0", GMT zone.
I took screen photos with my digital camera for each and every current
setting before switching out the battery. Then it was just a matter of
going back through the images and copying those settings in BIOS after
battery replacement. Everything is as it was before swapping out the
battery. Unless you are saying that a setting was somehow off before
the battery switch in which case I would have no idea which one and
would appreciate some clues. Yes, BIOS is easily accessible.
refer to the user manual.
On 2/3/26 12:14 PM, legg wrote:
On Tue, 3 Feb 2026 10:18:14 -0500, Harvey Sanenbum
<harvey50120@micro.net> wrote:
On 2/3/26 2:00 AM, wmartin wrote:
On 2/2/26 16:36, Harvey Sanenbum wrote:
On 2/2/26 4:02 PM, Bennett Price wrote:If your cmos content is clobbered, a new battery will not magically
On 2/2/2026 7:49 AM, Harvey Sanenbum wrote:
On 2/1/26 3:28 PM, Harvey Sanenbum wrote:If the time was off by exactly 8 hours the time zone setting is
On 2/1/26 1:43 PM, legg wrote:
On Sat, 31 Jan 2026 13:32:39 -0500, Harvey Sanenbum
<harvey50120@micro.net> wrote:
On 1/31/26 12:46 PM, Bennett Price wrote:
On 1/31/2026 6:22 AM, Harvey Sanenbum wrote:
I have an old Dell XPS 420 desktop that wouldn't power on >>>>>>>>>>>> today.a I
had a hunch that it might be the front power switch, so >>>>>>>>>>>> disconnected
the power from the motherboard and then located the green wire >>>>>>>>>>>> on the
power supply.a However, much to my surprise, there were two green >>>>>>>>>>>> wires.a When I jumpered one to ground, nothing, but when >>>>>>>>>>>> jumpering the
other, power supply fan started up.
Before reconnecting power to the motherboard, I cut the green wire >>>>>>>>>>>> that did work and temporarily extended it with a jumper wire. >>>>>>>>>>>> Power
was reconnected and the jumper wire to ground.a The power supply >>>>>>>>>>>> started, but it was only after I then pressed the front power >>>>>>>>>>>> button
on the desktop that it started right up.a In fact, I'm sending >>>>>>>>>>>> this
message from it now.
I'm a little confused about the wiring and power switch type.a The >>>>>>>>>>>> switch must have only partially failed since it still works >>>>>>>>>>>> with the
aforementioned configuration.a However, I think the option, to get >>>>>>>>>>>> things back to normal, is to either replace it, which I think >>>>>>>>>>>> would be
next to impossible given the old age of the PC, or simply wire >>>>>>>>>>>> up a
toggle as a substitute, but not sure of the wiring.
Might it be as simple as snipping that additional green wire, >>>>>>>>>>>> splicing
both green wires together, and have that go to ground for start >>>>>>>>>>>> up/
turn off, or is it something more?a I almost think a temporary >>>>>>>>>>>> switch
is needed somewhere since the front power button is only depressed >>>>>>>>>>>> until power up and then released.
trying to keep everything simple, but it seems a little >>>>>>>>>>>> complicated to
me.a Thanks in advance for any help.
Correct me if I'm wrong but it sounds like you fixed the problem >>>>>>>>>>> and
there's no need to replace the front panel power switch.
Sort of.a I have a SPST toggle switch that connects the one green >>>>>>>>>> line
to the power supply and ground.a I cut that green line to the >>>>>>>>>> motherboard.a If I enable the toggle switch, the power supply fan >>>>>>>>>> begins
to turn at a rapid pace until I press the button on the front of the >>>>>>>>>> desktop, then boot up as normal.
So, by activating the toggle switch I added, and then pushing the PC >>>>>>>>>> power button on the front of the desktop momentarily, the PC >>>>>>>>>> boots up.
If no other solution, I guess I could use it this way either until I >>>>>>>>>> find out the correct wiring data for replacing with a single >>>>>>>>>> switch or
obtaining an original replacement PC switch board.a I really need to >>>>>>>>>> have this desktop functional.
I'm unclear, however, whether the power switch is, by design, a >>>>>>>>>>> momentary contact switch - only on while depressed, or a toggle >>>>>>>>>>> switch -
on when depressed and remains on until pushed again when in >>>>>>>>>>> turns off.
Response to power-on is in bios - check coin cell battery on mobo. >>>>>>>>>
RL
Ahhh, good point.a Something I hadn't thought of because my system >>>>>>>> auto syncs to the correct time everyday once I connect to the
Internet.a In the BIOS however, just checked the date and time. >>>>>>>> Date is fine (today) but time is slow by 8 hours.a Time to do a >>>>>>>> battery swap I think.
No fresh batteries on hand, so ordered one today.a Once installed, >>>>>>> will rewire as normal, see what happens, and report back.a I'm also >>>>>>> going to save this thread for future reference because I have
another desktop that refused to boot up one day that I'm wondering >>>>>>> whether or not had the same problem.a Going to check it out later >>>>>>> this week.
wrong; perhaps defaulting to Greenwich time.
Fresh battery installed and still no boot up, so went back to the
modified configuration.a Any more ideas welcome.
restore them. Can you boot into bios mode? If so, look for messed up
cmos content, reset to defaults if it's scrambled. Then you may have a >>>> chance to set the correct values. That 8 hr time error is a clue, it
looks as if the timezone offset has gone to "0", GMT zone.
I took screen photos with my digital camera for each and every current
setting before switching out the battery. Then it was just a matter of
going back through the images and copying those settings in BIOS after
battery replacement. Everything is as it was before swapping out the
battery. Unless you are saying that a setting was somehow off before
the battery switch in which case I would have no idea which one and
would appreciate some clues. Yes, BIOS is easily accessible.
refer to the user manual.
Unfortunately, not much help. It refers to beep codes and light >combinations on the top LCD screen. I have had no codes or light >indications that anything was wrong. > RL
refer to the user manual.
Unfortunately, not much help. It refers to beep codes and light >combinations on the top LCD screen. I have had no codes or light >indications that anything was wrong. > RL
On Tue, 3 Feb 2026 15:04:49 -0500, Harvey Sanenbum
<harvey50120@micro.net> wrote:
refer to the user manual.
Unfortunately, not much help. It refers to beep codes and light
combinations on the top LCD screen. I have had no codes or light
indications that anything was wrong. > RL
https://www.manualowl.com/p/Dell/XPS-420/Manual/106131
P179 System Setup.
RL
On 2/4/26 8:49 AM, legg wrote:
On Tue, 3 Feb 2026 15:04:49 -0500, Harvey Sanenbum
<harvey50120@micro.net> wrote:
refer to the user manual.
Unfortunately, not much help. It refers to beep codes and light
combinations on the top LCD screen. I have had no codes or light
indications that anything was wrong. > RL
https://www.manualowl.com/p/Dell/XPS-420/Manual/106131
P179 System Setup.
RL
Already had the manual and went through the set up after changing out
the battery. Since I took screenshots of settings before the changeout, >anything that had changed was set back to how it was before the battery >changeout.
I don't see anything in the BIOS that explains the current behavior.
Even if the boot sequence was set incorrectly, which I've had happen in
the past on laptops, I'd still get full power when starting.
I'm really starting to think that it is a motherboard or switch fault.
When power on was working correctly, I would depress the front power
button for a second and the power supply fan would start whirling.
Then, the light would come on a solid blue and the PC would boot into
the OS as normal. Now I have to flip the toggle switch I added to
ground (which grounds the green wire of the power supply to ground)
before the power supply fan starts, then I press the front button, blue >light comes on, and boot up as normal. So whatever handled the
permanent green to ground path upon starting became defunct.
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