Bad Mobo?

Probably 1/2 fried PSU, but coulda fried everything with it.

Do you have a case speaker hooked up? If not, buy($3)/beg/borrow/steal one! You need its' diagnostic info... Often, a computer shop that builds/repairs will have enogh of 'em laying around that they'll just give you one.

No no - the beep codes come through an on-board, universal to all MOBOs, hookup. I'm not sure which MOBO you have, but here's an example:

here's the cast of culprits:

Here here! That's one of the things I'd really like to get in a 'sticky'; always use a reputable surge protector, from a manufacturer with a 'plugged-in-damage' insurance policy, even if you've 'gone cheap' everywhere else; among the others are use of anti-static wristbands and pads (and you really don't need the pad for one build - the bag the MOBO shipped in will work fine, if you set it up right) when building; and, one I try to post weekly - DON'T use @BIOS!!! EVER!!!