Wow! I'm REALLY glad I had the thing diagnosed. All hail the Fry's service department!
I don't know HOW I lucked out like this, but amazingly, when tested - the problem was NOT the CPU/Motherboard. It seems both the power supply and the videocard fried at about the same time.
The technicians couldn't get it to power on properly. So they tested it with an in-store power supply. Then it would post, but no video, so they used an in-store videocard and they got video. It posted properly and they were able to boot to the BIOS/CMOS.
That makes things a LOT easier to deal with. And a lot cheaper. All I have to do is get a comparable power supply and a videocard and do the install myself and I'm golden! I might be back up to speed by tonight!
Heading out to the store now - wish me luck!
I don't know HOW I lucked out like this, but amazingly, when tested - the problem was NOT the CPU/Motherboard. It seems both the power supply and the videocard fried at about the same time.
The technicians couldn't get it to power on properly. So they tested it with an in-store power supply. Then it would post, but no video, so they used an in-store videocard and they got video. It posted properly and they were able to boot to the BIOS/CMOS.
That makes things a LOT easier to deal with. And a lot cheaper. All I have to do is get a comparable power supply and a videocard and do the install myself and I'm golden! I might be back up to speed by tonight!
Heading out to the store now - wish me luck!