I got my hands on a DataExpert OPTI-386WB V1.0 Board with AMD 386DX-33 CPU.

https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/dataexpert-opti-386wb

Varta was leaking a bit, so I removed the battery and cleaned the board with vinegar and isopropanol.

I can't see obvious damages but the board does not start up. Speaker stays silent and a Chinese ISA post diag card shows CF 4F, sometimes still, sometimes flickering around. Keyboard leds also blink one time.

Without memory the post code stays at -- --, so I assume -something- is working. Tried two different set of 4 simms in each bank, RAM works at my 486.

I also read the contents of the BIOS chip and compared it to the one on retroweb, identical. Tested also another fresh flashed eeprom.

Would love to revive this board and I am eager to learn but I have little experience. What could I try / measure / replace next? I have all type of measuring equipment at hand. There seems to be scematics available: https://theretroweb.com/motherboard/manual/op … df780522089.pdf