Dell xps 400 - usb ports bad - keyboard failure!!!!

[Cloud_Golf]

Hello all!

I am having some serious issues with my Dell XPS 400 desktop PC. Two days ago I turned on my PC and it booted up saying there was a "keyboard failure!" I let it continue until it got to the Windows accounts screen. I was unable to use the keyboard because it is a wireless/USB Logitech keyboard/mouse. I powered it down and tried again and still no luck. so far I have tried the following...

- Unplugged, held power button for 30 sec, took CMOS battery out and let sit overnight w/o any power. Fired up w/same results!

- Put OS Dell disk in drive and restarted it and it won't p/u the disk because I can't use the keyboard.

- Tried different USB ports and different keyboard w/o success.

I give up and can't believe this system is already bad! I have no warranty and it looks more and more like I'll need a new M/B. I really don't want to sink any money into this machine --almost more cost effective to buy a new machine.

Can someone help before eject this piece of c*** into e-waste?

Thanks in adavance!

 

[bomberboysk]

If none of the usb ports work, and you have tried multiple keyboards with it...it could be the motherboard going out...

 

[Cloud_Golf]

If none of the usb ports work, and you have tried multiple keyboards with it...it could be the motherboard going out...

Thanks for replying Sir! I'm thinking the same thing myself...however, I'm holding on to one hope! This happened to me once before and I took it to Bestbuy and Circuit City to get some estimates. Bestbuy said I had a bad hard drive and Circuit City said it was good to go and nothing was wrong with it. So maybe a few more days unplugged will do it some good! Keeping my fingers crossed! If not, then I may take some advice from some of these threads and build my own computer with good parts...hopefully not all made in China like my DELL XPS 400. I just hope I can do it economically but, still have a great powerful computer.

 

[bomberboysk]

Thanks for replying Sir! I'm thinking the same thing myself...however, I'm holding on to one hope! This happened to me once before and I took it to Bestbuy and Circuit City to get some estimates. Bestbuy said I had a bad hard drive and Circuit City said it was good to go and nothing was wrong with it. So maybe a few more days unplugged will do it some good! Keeping my fingers crossed! If not, then I may take some advice from some of these threads and build my own computer with good parts...hopefully not all made in China like my DELL XPS 400. I just hope I can do it economically but, still have a great powerful computer.

Yeah, best buy will do whatever they can to try to sell you something. Although, looking around..it could be power supply on its way out maybe..

 

[Cloud_Golf]

Yeah, best buy will do whatever they can to try to sell you something. Although, looking around..it could be power supply on its way out maybe..

Power Supply? Hmmmm...tell me more! Where were you reading this at?

 

[Cloud_Golf]

Still no luck after 2 nights

I've tried to leave the system unplugged 2 seperate nights w/o any luck in powering it up. It keeps saying "Keyboard Fauilure" and I can't use my keyboard/mouse to do anything.

Does anyone know if it is the M/B or the power supply?

 

[bomberboysk]

I've tried to leave the system unplugged 2 seperate nights w/o any luck in powering it up. It keeps saying "Keyboard Fauilure" and I can't use my keyboard/mouse to do anything.

Does anyone know if it is the M/B or the power supply?

Its more than likely the motherboard than the power supply, but sometimes if the +5v rail is failing on the power supply similar things can happen. If you have a multimeter...check the +5v voltages

 

[TheKokopelli]

it's the mobo

Its more than likely the motherboard than the power supply, but sometimes if the +5v rail is failing on the power supply similar things can happen. If you have a multimeter...check the +5v voltages

according to the official dell forums everybody else having this problem is reporting that the only fix is a new mobo. I'm dealing with this same issue today...

http://en.community.dell.com/forums/t/19068354.aspx?c=us&l=en&cs=&s=gen

 

[Cloud_Golf]

Hello all!

I am having some serious issues with my Dell XPS 400 desktop PC. Two days ago I turned on my PC and it booted up saying there was a "keyboard failure!" I let it continue until it got to the Windows accounts screen. I was unable to use the keyboard because it is a wireless/USB Logitech keyboard/mouse. I powered it down and tried again and still no luck. so far I have tried the following...

- Unplugged, held power button for 30 sec, took CMOS battery out and let sit overnight w/o any power. Fired up w/same results!

- Put OS Dell disk in drive and restarted it and it won't p/u the disk because I can't use the keyboard.

- Tried different USB ports and different keyboard w/o success.

I give up and can't believe this system is already bad! I have no warranty and it looks more and more like I'll need a new M/B. I really don't want to sink any money into this machine --almost more cost effective to buy a new machine.

Can someone help before eject this piece of c*** into e-waste?

Thanks in adavance!

This is the Chat log from Dell...I'm basically SOL! Don't buy a Dell system

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18:00:17 Mike Miller
Initial Question/Comment: [email protected]
18:00:23 System
You are now being connected to an agent. Thank you for using Dell Chat
18:00:23 System
Connected with E&A_Adrian
18:00:33 E&A_Adrian
Welcome to Dell Consumer Solutions Sales Chat! I hope you are doing well and thank you for waiting. My name is Adrian and I will be your Sales Agent today.
18:00:37 E&A_Adrian
Feel free to provide your phone number so that I can contact you if we get disconnected. How can I help you today?
18:01:05 Mike Miller
Hi! I have a Dell XPS 400 and the motherboard went out on it.
18:01:18 Mike Miller
My number is xxxxxxxxx
18:01:50 Mike Miller
My system is only a few years old and out of warranty. Is there an economical solution to replacing the mobo?
18:02:02 E&A_Adrian
I'll be glad to assist you on that.
18:02:07 E&A_Adrian
may I please have the service tag number so that I can check for compatible parts?
18:03:11 Mike Miller
Ironically I am using a very, very old Dell system that I still have (8100) to chat w/you. Needless to say I am very frustrated that my powerful XPS 400 is already down! :-(
18:03:18 Mike Miller
Just a moment
18:03:56 Mike Miller
953NM91
18:04:13 E&A_Adrian
thank you
18:04:18 E&A_Adrian
please give me a moment
18:04:23 Mike Miller
No worries!
18:07:58 Mike Miller
It seems as though the mother board failure is extremely common amongst all Dell XPS 400 owners. In my opinion this is definitely a flaw in the product.
18:08:49 Mike Miller
My searches on the internet have turned up numerous complaints, issues and exact same problems I am going through.
18:10:58 E&A_Adrian
ok but the system is out of warranty though
18:11:19 Mike Miller
Yep, Arrrgghh...that is the sad part
18:11:41 Mike Miller
Makes me think three times before making my next computer purchase!
18:14:06 E&A_Adrian
ok still checking for the part
18:15:07 Mike Miller
I'm hoping to fix the XPS 400 (most economical) and give to my daughter for school and purchase a new computer for my needs. So if Dell is able to make something happen, I would be inclined to make my next purchase.
18:18:03 E&A_Adrian
ok just for verificantion, can you tell me if you have a Prescott Smithfield or Presler CPU
18:18:52 Mike Miller
I have been a loyal customer to Dell. I have purchased my last three systems from Dell (Dell 8100 2WKPF01, Dell XPS 140 JKTG91, Dell XPS 400 953NM91)
18:19:04 Mike Miller
One moment...I'll go look!
18:20:28 E&A_Adrian
thank you so much
18:21:02 Mike Miller
Where on the mobo do I look? I can only locate a barcode label w/numbers.
18:21:44 Mike Miller
I've look all around the mobo and don't see any brand names except for Dell logo on mobo.
18:22:03 E&A_Adrian
please give me a moment
18:24:43 E&A_Adrian
thank you for waiting
18:26:25 E&A_Adrian
we have the refurbished Motherboard Service Kit, (RoHS), 9150C/XPS400 for $239.99
18:26:40 E&A_Adrian
unfortunately it is out of stock
18:26:55 E&A_Adrian
Here's what I can do for you, I'll send a request to our warehouse for this item then just schedule you for a callback if they already approved my request. They usually reply to our request within 24-48 hours.
18:27:46 Mike Miller
1 TF810 Processor, 80551, Pentium D Smithfield For Desktops, 830 3.0, BO, Server, Server Chassis is what I found on Dell's website
18:28:34 E&A_Adrian
that is correct
18:29:16 Mike Miller
What was the request to the warehouse? A balance check?
18:31:51 E&A_Adrian
that is to make the part request
18:32:08 Mike Miller
You mean a backorder? $240+ for a mother board is extremely high considering I can buy/build a system for just a few dollars more!?
18:34:41 E&A_Adrian
no its just that they are keeping the stocks in check
18:34:46 E&A_Adrian
and are strict about it
18:35:34 Mike Miller
What does that mean for me? I'm lost!
18:35:56 Mike Miller
Will they trim one out of stock?
18:36:11 E&A_Adrian
I'm just saying that we will need to make a part request first before we can place the order for the mother board
18:37:02 Mike Miller
So that is the best Dell Computers can do for me? These are tough times and I have been a loyal customer for a long time (I've even purchased peripherals from Dell). This really doesn't make a customer want to return for future purchases. The reliability hasn't been too promising and I'd really hate to think of another purchase going South on me.
18:43:23 Mike Miller
A company that stands behind their product will go out of their way to make their customers happy. If you have a happy customer he/she will tell thousands more the Dell is good. If you have an unhappy customer, he/she will tell 10 times more people that Dell not good. I should hope that Dell's customer relations department reads these chat logs to get a pulse on their customer base. I am leaning on building my own system with quality products. Upon closer examination it looks like almost every component in my system is made in China. It's no wonder why the darn thing failed....cheap labor....cheap pay....cheap product!

 

[Cloud_Golf]

This is the Chat log from Dell...I'm basically SOL! Don't buy a Dell system

Copy
Print
Exit
18:00:17 Mike Miller
Initial Question/Comment: [email protected]
18:00:23 System
You are now being connected to an agent. Thank you for using Dell Chat
18:00:23 System
Connected with E&A_Adrian
18:00:33 E&A_Adrian
Welcome to Dell Consumer Solutions Sales Chat! I hope you are doing well and thank you for waiting. My name is Adrian and I will be your Sales Agent today.
18:00:37 E&A_Adrian
Feel free to provide your phone number so that I can contact you if we get disconnected. How can I help you today?
18:01:05 Mike Miller
Hi! I have a Dell XPS 400 and the motherboard went out on it.
18:01:18 Mike Miller
My number is xxxxxxxxx
18:01:50 Mike Miller
My system is only a few years old and out of warranty. Is there an economical solution to replacing the mobo?
18:02:02 E&A_Adrian
I'll be glad to assist you on that.
18:02:07 E&A_Adrian
may I please have the service tag number so that I can check for compatible parts?
18:03:11 Mike Miller
Ironically I am using a very, very old Dell system that I still have (8100) to chat w/you. Needless to say I am very frustrated that my powerful XPS 400 is already down! :-(
18:03:18 Mike Miller
Just a moment
18:03:56 Mike Miller
953NM91
18:04:13 E&A_Adrian
thank you
18:04:18 E&A_Adrian
please give me a moment
18:04:23 Mike Miller
No worries!
18:07:58 Mike Miller
It seems as though the mother board failure is extremely common amongst all Dell XPS 400 owners. In my opinion this is definitely a flaw in the product.
18:08:49 Mike Miller
My searches on the internet have turned up numerous complaints, issues and exact same problems I am going through.
18:10:58 E&A_Adrian
ok but the system is out of warranty though
18:11:19 Mike Miller
Yep, Arrrgghh...that is the sad part
18:11:41 Mike Miller
Makes me think three times before making my next computer purchase!
18:14:06 E&A_Adrian
ok still checking for the part
18:15:07 Mike Miller
I'm hoping to fix the XPS 400 (most economical) and give to my daughter for school and purchase a new computer for my needs. So if Dell is able to make something happen, I would be inclined to make my next purchase.
18:18:03 E&A_Adrian
ok just for verificantion, can you tell me if you have a Prescott Smithfield or Presler CPU
18:18:52 Mike Miller
I have been a loyal customer to Dell. I have purchased my last three systems from Dell (Dell 8100 2WKPF01, Dell XPS 140 JKTG91, Dell XPS 400 953NM91)
18:19:04 Mike Miller
One moment...I'll go look!
18:20:28 E&A_Adrian
thank you so much
18:21:02 Mike Miller
Where on the mobo do I look? I can only locate a barcode label w/numbers.
18:21:44 Mike Miller
I've look all around the mobo and don't see any brand names except for Dell logo on mobo.
18:22:03 E&A_Adrian
please give me a moment
18:24:43 E&A_Adrian
thank you for waiting
18:26:25 E&A_Adrian
we have the refurbished Motherboard Service Kit, (RoHS), 9150C/XPS400 for $239.99
18:26:40 E&A_Adrian
unfortunately it is out of stock
18:26:55 E&A_Adrian
Here's what I can do for you, I'll send a request to our warehouse for this item then just schedule you for a callback if they already approved my request. They usually reply to our request within 24-48 hours.
18:27:46 Mike Miller
1 TF810 Processor, 80551, Pentium D Smithfield For Desktops, 830 3.0, BO, Server, Server Chassis is what I found on Dell's website
18:28:34 E&A_Adrian
that is correct
18:29:16 Mike Miller
What was the request to the warehouse? A balance check?
18:31:51 E&A_Adrian
that is to make the part request
18:32:08 Mike Miller
You mean a backorder? $240+ for a mother board is extremely high considering I can buy/build a system for just a few dollars more!?
18:34:41 E&A_Adrian
no its just that they are keeping the stocks in check
18:34:46 E&A_Adrian
and are strict about it
18:35:34 Mike Miller
What does that mean for me? I'm lost!
18:35:56 Mike Miller
Will they trim one out of stock?
18:36:11 E&A_Adrian
I'm just saying that we will need to make a part request first before we can place the order for the mother board
18:37:02 Mike Miller
So that is the best Dell Computers can do for me? These are tough times and I have been a loyal customer for a long time (I've even purchased peripherals from Dell). This really doesn't make a customer want to return for future purchases. The reliability hasn't been too promising and I'd really hate to think of another purchase going South on me.
18:43:23 Mike Miller
A company that stands behind their product will go out of their way to make their customers happy. If you have a happy customer he/she will tell thousands more the Dell is good. If you have an unhappy customer, he/she will tell 10 times more people that Dell not good. I should hope that Dell's customer relations department reads these chat logs to get a pulse on their customer base. I am leaning on building my own system with quality products. Upon closer examination it looks like almost every component in my system is made in China. It's no wonder why the darn thing failed....cheap labor....cheap pay....cheap product!

This was the end of our conversation...
18:45:27 E&A_Adrian
let me just read on that
18:45:42 E&A_Adrian
I'm assisting 3 clients at the same time
18:45:52 E&A_Adrian
please give me a moment
18:48:53 E&A_Adrian
thank you for waiting
18:49:14 Mike Miller
k
18:49:38 E&A_Adrian
so basically what you want to happen is to have a discount on the refurbished motherboard correct?
18:50:18 E&A_Adrian
I'm sorry sir but we cannot just change our prices here
18:50:48 E&A_Adrian
we also cannot give discounts for all refurbished items
18:51:27 E&A_Adrian
but if the system has warranty coverage, we will take care of it for sure
18:52:15 Mike Miller
No worries! I know you are just the low guy on the end of the totem pole trying to do your job and assist customers the best you can!
18:52:47 E&A_Adrian
low guy - yes that's me
18:55:34 Mike Miller
My experience and ownership of Dell computers will sadly/abruptly come to an end. I will venture out and build my very own system much cheaper than it would cost to buy direct. At least I know the parts I put in will be top notch and will last/perform. I have the feeling that Dell will soon start to loose more and more business because of customers like me will stop buying and warn others of the problems/experiences I have encountered with Dell. Thanks for your time and assistance! Cheers!

 

[gorsuchj]

i was wondering if you had actuall replaced or bought a different system?? I have a XPS 400 also that a few weeks ago did the same thing. I have tried multiple things to make it work, but in my case, i can not even get it to start to boot!! i originally started to get the keyboard failure message, i didn't have any other keyboards to try so as i went out to buy a new one, by the time i got back the computer was down, and upon trying to reboot it was DEAD!!! i believe it to be the MB but i still get the green light on the MB and i also get power to different locations on the board, but no luck to starting. I thought it was the switch but they use this thin ribbon that is not used for any other devices to try and swap out...so iguess i am out of luck on this computer. I did go buy a new HP pavilion, had to buy a new printer also...i think when the MB went bad it may have power surged the printer also and killed it...the power supply on it was DEAD also...like a feed back loop. Oh well.

 

[Cloud_Golf]

Hello all!

I am having some serious issues with my Dell XPS 400 desktop PC. Two days ago I turned on my PC and it booted up saying there was a "keyboard failure!" I let it continue until it got to the Windows accounts screen. I was unable to use the keyboard because it is a wireless/USB Logitech keyboard/mouse. I powered it down and tried again and still no luck. so far I have tried the following...

- Unplugged, held power button for 30 sec, took CMOS battery out and let sit overnight w/o any power. Fired up w/same results!

- Put OS Dell disk in drive and restarted it and it won't p/u the disk because I can't use the keyboard.

- Tried different USB ports and different keyboard w/o success.

I give up and can't believe this system is already bad! I have no warranty and it looks more and more like I'll need a new M/B. I really don't want to sink any money into this machine --almost more cost effective to buy a new machine.

Can someone help before eject this piece of c*** into e-waste?

Thanks in adavance!

I had all the same issues you described to include frying attached equipment. I actually had a Skycaddie Golf GPS plugged in as well and it fried it as well. You mobo is dead and you need to replace it! I picked one up cheap on ebay ($142 auction). I just replaced it and gave it to my daughter...runs like a charm now. I ended up buying components and building my own system from scratch. It runs so much faster and better. Not a lot parts made in China if you noticed in your Dell XPS! Check ebay out and start bidding...Dell wanted almost $300 w/tax & shipping for a new mobo. Hope this helps!