the issue is not getting the pc to post..the issue is getting the pc to power on at all. maybe i am wrong...what compnenets are needed for a pc to power on, not post just power on...fans spinning, lights flashing. and the wire was the only thing with a problem. entire board from what i can see is fine, no burn marks, nothing was hot to the touch and the cpu and heatsink were still cool to the touch. anyone think it might be a grounding issue with the motherboard? or what about on the motherboard there is the secondary power connector for a p4...could that be something?