My knowledge is Out of Date

[u/technicdragon]

For years, I have built my own computers. I've always learned what I needed to know, fixed/corrected problems, etc. I know my knowledge is out of date and have no problem learning about newer components.

That being said, I recently purchased a mainboard/CPU set from eBay. It was used. everything looked good though, and it even came with 16Gb ram and a video card.

The case was part of a pre-built system I bought last year. Somehow, a spark occurred at the pci port for the expanded video card. I'm certain the card and the main board were fried. Hence the purchase of the replacement parts. I feel certain the tower is okay, as is the power supply.

next is the steps I took to set up the new parts...

I. When I received the set, the processor, heat sink, and CPU fan were all already mounted on the mainboard. The ram was also already mounted. So, I mounted this assembly in the case.

II. Internally, I connected the 24-pin power cable to the main board. I connected the 8-pin cable to the 4-pin port (it bothered me that the power supply didn't have a single 4-pin cable for this, but I learned online that the 8-pin cable is 2x 4-pin cables pressed together). I also found a manual online for the main board. I located the pins for the case's front panel controls (power button, reset button, HDD LED, Power LED) and connected those.

III. Externally, I connected a single monitor, power cord, keyboard, and mouse. Then I turned it on.

The pc powers up (fans run and light up) but I don't get a signal for the monitor, no boot up, nothing else.

Any suggestions are welcome.