Carnage,
That is a nice little trick you shared! I gave it a try on my Windows 7 Ultimate that MS gave me for free and sure enough, it came up as "retail." I was kinda surprised because I thought it would come up as "NFR" [Not for resale].
I will try it on the dead security rig as soon as I have the parts transferred and reinstalled in the new motherboard.
Thanks for sharing Luke! I did not check the capacitors up close...one moment I will do it now...
Ok, I carefully checked them and all of em' appear to be fine [I see none charred, warped, or popped].
Well, do we have a consensus now that it is time for me to try the new MB?
Dang, I sure hope I did not fry the chip. Those i7's cost me over $300 three years ago, and just like the motherboard, the warranty ran out about 6 months ago...
If you've tried a new PSU and nothing is lighting up at all, along with the cmos battery that was suggested further up, then yeah I'd say time to try a new mobo. Thoughts Carnage?