New EVGA motherboard

[Maulin]

Maybe this is a stupid question, but how can you tell if your mobo is dead?
I just recently bought the new EVGA Nforce 4 SLI motherboard (they had a nice deal going on, SLI mobo free with the purchase of 7800GT or 7800GTX) and I am really regretting the decision. I also bought the thermalite xp 90 HS and its not compatible with the mobo. The holes in the mobo are too big for the screws of the xp 90's base. I had to get some nuts and washers to make it tight. Anyways I put everything in and when I turn the power on the mobo light comes on and the fans start but then thats it. Nothing else happens, no beeps no nothing. the mobo has a little display that shows debug codes, I think its cool. The display says 'FF' which is the debug code for booting....
I've checked all the power connectors a few times over, both the 24 pin and 4 pin ones. the case speaker is connected too but I get no beeps. has anyone ever had this problem? So now how can I know that its the motherboard thats shot?

 

[MichaelD]

Take the motherboard out of the case (lay it on a table or piece of cardboard...anything but a METAL surface) and try with just memory, video card and HD.

Double check to ensure you've got the CPU sitting properly in the socket. I.E. all the way in. Use the stock heatsink for now.

Ensure you have the 12 Molex connector next to the PCI-E slots AND the PCI-E (6-pin_) connector plugged into the video card. Clear the CMOS and try again.