Also, 99% of the time, there is no response from the system at all. Twice though I have had a slow, repeating beep from the case speaker. Almost as I mentioned, this is silent most of the time. I don't what was different (if anything) to bring about the beeps.

The beeps have a meaning.

https://www.computerhope.com/beep.htm

Check your beeping against such a reference.

Your board has amibios, so the first table applies.

That’s good info, I’ll bookmark that.

Problem is my setup here is mostly silent. I couldn’t tell you how many beeps I got the couple of times it actually did beep. I’ve tried two different speakers too and I just get nothing.

Also changed the CMOS battery for fun.

I've found that Retro Web jumper listing aren't always accurate. Try moving the Clear CMOS jumper to different pins. I learned this with my 386 motherboard. It wouldn't start with the jumper settings from Retro Web, but did start when I moved the Clear CMOS jumper.

fosterwj03 wrote on 2026-04-02, 00:53:

I've found that Retro Web jumper listing aren't always accurate. Try moving the Clear CMOS jumper to different pins. I learned this with my 386 motherboard. It wouldn't start with the jumper settings from Retro Web, but did start when I moved the Clear CMOS jumper.

Thanks I’ll give it a try, they do have a scan of the system manual though which seems like a pretty good source.

Have you measured voltages with a multimeter? I also suggest you get a ISA/PCI post code diagnostic card so you can see if the system is even starting to post, where it hangs and if it leaves reset. They cost next to nothing, but provide valuable information for trouble shooting.

CharlieFoxtrot wrote on 2026-04-02, 04:45:

Have you measured voltages with a multimeter? I also suggest you get a ISA/PCI post code diagnostic card so you can see if the system is even starting to post, where it hangs and if it leaves reset. They cost next to nothing, but provide valuable information for trouble shooting.

I’ve picked up one of those cards, thanks. Might be useful once I (hopefully) start adding cards too.

I do have a multimeter but in this context not sure how to use it, and use it safely. The PSU is connected to some CD drives in the case not hooked up to the motherboard, and they are powered.

remove ram and vga, just mobo cpu psu

So I've now tried -

• Clearing the CMOS
• A completley different video card
• Removing everything but CPU, Mobo and PSU (also tried this with two different PSUs)

Still nothing. Not a sound from the case speaker. The only thing is that I can feel heat in some of the motherboard chips.

I'm very much at a loss.

in order:
jumpers all match manual, still try reseating them all or maybe even check with a multimeter if they all conduct as they should
re-seat cpu
re-seat bios chip
remove all cache chips

Do you have access to scope, fast logic analyzer or frequency counter? if so read the markings on hmm U20? that chip over FSB jumpers. Its a clock gen, its responsible for clocking chipset and cpu, would be good to check if all clocks are present and accounted for.