Really Classifying a Mobo as dead

[H8tank]

I've got this compaq, ATX, and it's dead, fans will spin up, that's it.

Exchanged, PS, CPU, RAM, disconnected everything, reset CMOS, all with the same result.

I'm thinking the thing just died, but how can you be really sure?

 

[rkoenn]

Sounds like you have done everything to fairly well determine it is dead. If all these components you replaced work in another board, it probably is dead.

 

[billyjak]

Did you try replacing the battery for CMOS, had that happen to my brother just 1 month ago.
The batteries are cheap and can get them anywhere.

 

[WildDreamer]

A good way to see if its really dead is to check the 'power good' signal while the system is powered on. If you have a multi-meter, you can check this by putting the positive mm probe on lead 3(power good) of the ATX connector, and the negative probe on lead 8(ground). The lead numbers should be on the top of the ATX connector. You might have to jam the mm probes into the ATX connector pretty good in order to get a good reading. The voltage should be around -5 V. Usually if the voltage is low (around -1 V), or is jumping around, then the mobo (or the ps) isn't working.

 

[H8tank]

Swapped the PS, so I know it's ok.

What has to happen on a MB for the cpu to heat up? As it stands, the CPU doesn't even get warm, so no juice is even getting to it. I've never tested it, but would a CPU get hot if RAM was missing? OR video? A possible way to trouble shoot perhaps?