the CPU and PS fans will spin for a half-second. how can i find out which one is the problem?

Re-check your on/off connection - and again.

Otherwise borrow another PSU and try that.

i didnt have another power supply that is capable, but i do have a tester. I plugged everything that i could think of into the tester and as far as i can tell the problem is the mobo. any ideas how to remove the cpu fan and the cpu without damaging anything?

Jlawrie,

shut off and unplug your machine.

there should be 4 pegs that are holding your heat sink in place. turn the pegs to the left and pull up on them. that release the heat sink. then release the lever to the cpu and check the see if it is seated properly. also check to make sure you have enough thermal paste on the cpu and heat sink. reattach everything and let us know.

well after removing everything, checking the amount of themal paste, and re-attaching everything I have gotten the same result of power being distributed, but no activation. Still not sure what the yellow LED light on the mobo means tho.

How big is your power supply?