[EV13]

Thanks for your replies, and thanks for the tip re. the PSU.

As the fans were still running (including the HSF) and the LEDs on the MOBO were all lit at the time I turned it off, I had vainly assumed/hoped it was ok, and would have connected up new mobo to it....!

I'll have to go get a PSU tester, as although I've got an old pentium 1 machine I could sacrifice, I don't think the connectors would be compatible, apart from the molex's, & can't use pentium PSU on new mobo, as I think it's probably way too low-powered -but I'll open it up now and check it out.

-Lsdmeasaps hint re. shrink wrap just came in; I'm nodding my head vigorously in agreement! (especially after what I did!!).

Will go get some of that as well; but still think I'll stick to proper length leads in first place; they're relatively cheap...compared to a replacement mobo/+anything else fried!

Will let you all know how (2nd!) new build goes...and might asl some more Q's if there are probs!.