Can the motherboard be the problem?

[xech]

Hi, my friend's computer recently broke down and i've been trying to fix it. The computer is on 24/7 in his shop for security camera reasons. I would have thought it would be the power supply since it is always on but when i replaced it, it doesn't boot up. So now i am starting to lean against the motherboard. I noticed that the heatsink of the motherboard was missing and i wonder if this could be the problem of the start up?

Its a FIC VC-35 motherboard, which is very old and still uses a 478 CPU socket lol.

heres the picture of the motherboard in the computer.

http://img825.imageshack.us/i/imag0079c.jpg/

And heres what a brand new picture of the motherboard looks like.

http://www.geeks.com/imageshare/V/300x300/VC35-BO-unit.jpg

As you can see, the heatsink in the middle is missing and looks maybe a bit melted. im not really sure.

I am about to buy a replacement board but the site im ordering from doesn't have returns. So i want the forum's opinion before i spend $40 on this.

 

[soundguruman]

you are putting money into junk. Start over with a modern computer.

 

[xech]

true, but the thing is that either me or my friend knows the drivers or files for the cameras to make it work. Unless i am able to use the same system from the HDD and able to replace all the parts on the computer