[mamorim01]

It is good advice. To be honest, I believe I have tried it everything I possibly could. Having had experience with Sun machines I would expect a barebones setup with just a processor (no RAM) would have complained with 3 beeps (memory error). I have verified that to be a good reference and starting point to start troubleshooting in a few ocassions before. This one just won't do anything at all. I have checked the console as well for good measure.

I do have the v240 as a backup plan to test the processors, RAM, and PCI cards. As you say, there are quite a few common points between both systems.

I am frankly surprised at the huge price difference between both systems, I managed to procure the barebones v240 for around 50 euro (including s&h), plus a working, tested, motherboard is coming from Germany at 35 euro (including s&h) to keep as spares and to help during the troubleshooting were it necessary. I also have an ASTEC PSU about to arrive which I procured for 22 euro (somebody had pulled one of the redundant PSUs from the v240 and I wanted to make sure I had a good supply to begin with).

Prices on Blade 2500s are absolutely insane, with motherboards being offered for around 500 euro as a minimum, some of them fitted with two IIIis processors selling for near 1.000 euro. It kind of looks as if someone had cornered the market as things have not changed in months. That is definitely a no go in my book, would rather try my hand at the v240 and keep it working somewhere where the noise does not bother me. They are essentially the same machines (excluding graphics capabilities, maybe?).