MSI K9A2 will not boot

Well, I just installed a new Zalman CNPS9700 cooler and when I put everything back together, there is no longer video. It worked fine before I pulled everything out. All the power connections are connected to the motherboard and the video card. I've reset the CMOS, used only 1 stick of RAM and I took the board out of the case and tried booting it but still no video. I can hear the hard drive spinning up and the HD activity light flickers. Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

I've tried it plenty of times, and I tried it in the second dark blue slot as well with no results.

Yes, I did that with the CMOS jumper, and I also booted the machine barebones with no video as well. None of the keyboard lights light up as well if that's of note

Yeah I tried that and still no go, how about removing the video card and seeing if any of the startup sounds go off? Would that work?

Do you have a different video card you can try.

I had a similar problem swapping out a MB to a new case the other day. Mine booted to BIOS though and tried to load windows XP then would crash. I had to go into safe mode an reistall the video driver and that fixed it.

It's odd that you can not get to BIOS if you disconnect everything (HD, DVD, case fans, etc.). Maybe a different video card will cause the system to boot in BIOS or windows. If you had the MB outside the case with only the HSF, video card and 1 DIMM RAM and it still won't boot, something is wrong with the MB or CPU (if video card is good). You might try reinstalling the old HSF or reinstall the Zalman 9700 and try to get to BIOS. The CPU fits only one way (you know I am guessing). Hopefully, you didn't bend or damage a MB resistor or voltage regulator putting the larger Zalman on. I don't know, MB or CPU it sounds like considering what you done to troubleshoot, which is a lot.

Assuming you have this motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813130136

Did you try putting the USB bracket in the back and hooking up both the USB cable and the other one. Then booting it up and reading the light codes and checking them with the manual? I've found that's a very good feature MSI includes with some of there motherboards. Also, have you tried removing the CPU and reseating it? If the thermal paste on it was a bit sticky, taking the old HSF off could have loosened it.

Try the USB bracket and see what the lights say though, there's basically a code for every piece of hardware.