Fixing an XPS

[trigun500]

I have a family friend who has asked me to help ?fix? their Dell XPS.

Here is the issue: (according to what they said)

• -The motherboard inputs do not work; they cannot get the Keyboard/mouse to work, nor will the USB ports work. Yet it still started up and booted to windows.
  
  -They took it to Best Buy and were told that the motherboard was ?dead.? (I take the they say like a grain of salt)
  
  -They took the hard-drive out of the system and put it in an external drive so they could get the data from it.

I?m working with a potentially dead motherboard and no HD. I?m not sure if it?s even worth trying to fix (it?s fairly old; warrenty is out). They said they would buy a new HD and mobo for it.

My question is; is the motherboard actually dead? I mean if it?s ?dead? then it shouldn?t be able to even boot correct?

I?ve built many computers; but never really tried to fix a manufacturer PC. This just seems like an odd case. Thought I should bring it to the floor. Thanks in advance.

 

[Blain]

I'm guessing you've cleared the CMOS, maybe removed the battery (with the PS unplugged)?

There are plenty of Dell XPS MBs on ebay for $100 or less.
That's the path I'd go if the MB wasn't too expensive.

BTW, Why do they think they need a HD also?

 

[trigun500]

They took out the HD that was in it and put it in an external case so they could get the data from it.

I acutally haven't even tried working on it. I just wanted some opinions of what to expect if its worth it.

 

[trigun500]

bump

 

[bamacre]

Which model XPS is this?

If this is the very old, original XPS gaming system, tell them putting money into it is NOT a good idea. I think that's Pentium IV / Radeon 9800 Pro era, IIRC.

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: trigun500

I acutally haven't even tried working on it. I just wanted some opinions of what to expect if its worth it.

After you actually get your hands on it and troubleshoot, get back with us.
Pure speculation does really do your friend much good. :roll: