I just tested and confirmed with one of our spare CPU-NXT2s off the shelf in a BB2 with no software, no BIOS/SPI/RAM, disconnected the fan, HDD, and video card.
As soon as I flipped on the power all four LEDs lit right up.
Thanks for the testing & confirmation, Zoinks. This time I tried it again (completely emptying the board, this time removing the CMOS batteries, unplug enclosure fan, removed SPI and SJUR bios chip), still the 12v LED. Now I'm absolutely certain and you furthering my suspicions that this board is done. Why the board is even still alive and registering 12v, I don't even know. Unless I had the schematics for this, to see where the voltage rails run on the board, and possibly replace a capacitor or whatever tiny chip that regulates the voltage, then maybe I can fix it. But than again, This is probably something that can't be fixed, and don't really want to try attempt at all.
I would remove and reseat both the adastra board and the video card as one last diagnosis. $350 is very reasonable for a nxt2 cpu that works. I paid $650 for my last one about 6 months ago. You want to have a backup mpu anyway, and nowadays the bb2's are being basically dumped, so parts are about as cheap as they are going to get.
I've had a few boards with the same symptoms you're describing. When it wasn't the Video Card being cooked, the adrasta board itself was the culprit. Swapping that brought the game back up. Something to do with the voltage regulators on the board going wonky.
Tried this already, removing components 1 by 1, but now it doesn't even matter, not sure if it makes sense that those cards can bridge all the voltage rails. The bare empty board itself can't even register all 4 power LEDs lit, like Zoinks was able to confirm on his empty board on his post I quoted above.
I would remove and reseat both the adastra board and the video card as one last diagnosis. $350 is very reasonable for a nxt2 cpu that works. I paid $650 for my last one about 6 months ago. You want to have a backup mpu anyway, and nowadays the bb2's are being basically dumped, so parts are about as cheap as they are going to get.
Well at least when I purchase another NXT2 mpu, I now have an extra, Adastra, SJUR Bios, SPI chip, HDD, video card, Processor, fans, as backups, Which i'm probably sure they are fine.
Thanks to everyone, for the help you you've suggested. Sad, I couldn't get this fixed. Oh, well.