[z970gx]

Hi, all. I've got an Octane that won't boot, no matter what I try.

When it is plugged in, it automatically turns on (fans blasting), does not display any picture, and is unresponsive to any inputs of the power button. The lightbar does not come on, and neither is the boot tune present if headphones are plugged in.

I've already removed all of the RAM modules except the first two in bank one to no difference, I've cleaned out and reseated the hard drives, system module, PCI module, and XIO boards to no difference, I've loosened and then tightened the compression connectors' screws to no difference, and the only thing I have yet to do is reseat the CPU modules. After examination, I've also seen no evidence of the internal (frontplane?) pins bending.

As far as the 7 diagnostic LEDs, they are always in one of the three configurations, or something similar (attached photos).

What's even more curious, is that whenever the system is so much as tilted or moved, the LEDs change to a different configuration. Therefore, I suspect some form of looseness / insecurity...but I'm not experienced enough with these machines to be sure.

As to how this originally happened (it's spent 15 years in this state) ... The best I can gather is that the machine was once working fine, but I believe it was often moved around while in service, and one day it apparently just "stopped working", exhibiting the symptoms above. This is another lead for me to think it is some sort of a loose component problem, but of course, I am here for a reason.

Much appreciated. :-)