[Tee]

ok - well good luck with the next one. Be very cautious because most likely this will be your last Chance to get things going, as they aren't likely to ship a third (2nd replacement).

BE SURE; you have properly attached the CPU and used the proper heat-conductive grease- don't use very much as it ca spill over as the CPU heats. Apply it very sparingly.

Make sure that you have plugged in the 12v 4 pin square connector in addition to the other (main) multi-connection power connector.

In light of your previous issues, proceed slowly...ONE STEP at a time, adding one peripheral at a time.

If this mobo has onboard video, do not race to install the add-in video card that you purchased until you have everything working with the OEM video- that includes the OS installation. Only when everything is completely operation would I add the add-in video card.

Inspect the old MOBO for any possible shorts at the mounting holes, which would be evident if there is any brass runs visible without the protective green/opac varnish. remove any standoffs from the mobo that appear suspicious.

Lastly, confirm that all the fans are operational, and that the CPU fan is plugged into CPU_FAN and the case fan is plugged into SYS_FAN.

NEVER, under any circumstances, install any drives or IDE cables until the system posts, onscreen. Also, I don't recommend attaching the multi connector (front panel switches/leds) until you have started the system with the short-method (shorting the 2 PWR pins).

And one more thing...the reset and the power/suspend connectors are reversible (the connector can go either way...but all LED connectors are polarized (only work one way). Usually the label printed on the black plastic wire-end faces the outer side of the mobo.

Good luck!