dell precision t1500 not turning on

Also the rear usb ports just fine, as well as the graphics card, so I doubt it's the mobo

Thank you, but this doesnt help me, that button doesnt exist on my model, but im sure itll help someone else, thanks.

ok so its open rn, I just checked the cpu, no visible damage, but I do need to get some new therm paste, and I was thinkin about the battery. Im sure its the stock one. I have an old optiplex lying around, I could harvest one from there to try (im on the ol' american college budget rn). However, I think the bettery got jiggled loose by the mice, I think it was popped out a little, but I was more focused on the cpu

I get my 2032 Duracell batteries from Amazon cheaper than in store

I suppose you wouldn't happen to have a battery tester?  Don't know that I would trust the battery from an old Optiplex.  It's a 3v battery that should test 2.7v or above if it's good.

Sorry it didn't work out.  Thanks for letting me know your PSU doesn't have a test button.  The PSU test button is common, so I thought yours had it too.

So we might have to do things a little different from the video.

First, if it hasn't been done within the last 5 yrs., replace the size 2032 CMOS battery.  It can often be the first thing to check.  A low battery can cause all sorts of seemingly unrelated problems.  Duracell or Energizer is suggested as Sony only lasted me 2 years.  They should last around 5.  If it's still the same...

Unplug all external peripherals.  Remove GPU card.  Unplug internal peripherals, such as optical drives, card reader if it has one, etc.  Just the MB and front panel and switch should still be plugged in.

Does it power on?  If so, starting internally, plug peripherals back in one at time, powering on after each one, until it doesn't power on.

If it still doesn't power on after peripherals are unplugged, it's down to either the PSU or MB.

If it still won't power on, remove RAM and attempt to power on.  If it turns on, put RAM chips back one at a time, powering off in between, until it doesn't power on.

Just a reminder:  Unplug PC anytime working on the inside of it.

The power supply works fine, tried the paper clip test. there's no mobo light, button cords seem fine. there have been mice into it recently, had to clean that. its been off for a few days bc of a power outage, which right as the power shut off, I shut off the surge cord before it got the chance to turn on again, or surge. so whats the issue? the mobo looks fine to me. any tests?