I'm using the original Intel starter pack motherboard, which has only two SATA ports onboard. Having maxed out the available drive space in the case, I eventually replaced 2 of the original 12 IDE drives with SATA drives. I wanted to replace more of the IDE drives, so I bought a cheap VIA chipset SATA PCI card and installed that and replaced one of the IDE drives.

 

Unfortunately when I restarted the server, it wouldn't even POST - nothing showed on the monitor, no beep, and the unRaid USB thumbdrive had no light, although the drive light on the case showed that some drive was being accessed. So I thought the problem must be the VIA SATA card; I removed it and tried restarting, but the same symptoms: no POST, no beep, no video, etc.

 

So is this the end of the road for my motherboard, or is there something else I should try?

I'm using the original Intel starter pack motherboard, which has only two SATA ports onboard. Having maxed out the available drive space in the case, I eventually replaced 2 of the original 12 IDE drives with SATA drives. I wanted to replace more of the IDE drives, so I bought a cheap VIA chipset SATA PCI card and installed that and replaced one of the IDE drives.

 

Unfortunately when I restarted the server, it wouldn't even POST - nothing showed on the monitor, no beep, and the unRaid USB thumbdrive had no light, although the drive light on the case showed that some drive was being accessed. So I thought the problem must be the VIA SATA card; I removed it and tried restarting, but the same symptoms: no POST, no beep, no video, etc.

 

So is this the end of the road for my motherboard, or is there something else I should try?

I've had the same thing happen to me... I needed to re-seat the memory.

You might have something similar, or dislodged a power connector.

 

Be sure to use a wrist strap to prevent static discharge damage to the cards/MB, or at least touch the metal cabinet before plugging/un-plugging anything.  Make sure you turn off power by the main switch on the power supply, not just the button on the front of the case..

 

To diagnose a MB that does not post you pretty much must unplug everything, then get it to where it beeps at you saying no-memory, or no keyboard, etc.  Then plug the stuff back in.

Agreed.  Be sure to check the mobo power connectors.  I was working on my parent's computer over the weekend, and when I was done I tried to boot it up and got the same symptoms you are experiencing.  I realized I had forgot to plug in the 4-pin mobo power connector.  I plugged it in, and everything booted as normal.

I have to admit I was sceptical, but having a free moment last night, I pushed and poked at various connectors and the RAM (no way was I going to unplug everything) and lo and behold, the server booted again!

 

Now I must put the SATA card back and see what happens.....