kjthorpe18 :
Sorry for replying so late, but yes, I'm sure it was the data cable as it has a hole burned in it. The SSD also had a red fluid on the metal connectors (could have been melted plastic as the cable looks a bit melted on the inside).
I think it could be the motherboard, though. Two screws seem to be missing to hold it in place and I think maybe it has a short?
I would have to buy a new windows license I guess, and I could just install it onto one of my hard drives. But if the power supply isn't the culprit, then the motherboard most likely is. I tried the old power supply, and still I could not recognize the optical drive.
My first question: Where are the two screws that are 'missing' ? Did you find them 'stuck' someplace on t he mobo or have they finally fallen to the bottom of the case? If they popped out while the PC was powered up they very well could have shorted something on their way to the bottom of the case.
2; Did you find any burned areas on the mobo, other then the SSD and cables?
3. If you have a Windows install disc, once you get the PC up-and-running you should use that disc to install Windows and if it won't let you activate it a call to Microsoft would be in order: explain what happened and they will probably allow you to activate the new install.
4. find someone with a multi-meter or invest in one your self. Corsair.com has a nice tutorial on how to use a paper-clip to check basic on/off/power of your PSU, and once you turn it on you can then use the multi-meter to check for correct voltages. If THAT shows the PSU as operating within specifications (with no real load), then you might be daring enough to ask some one to let you plug it into their PC and see if it runs it. BE VERY certain before you do this as you don't want to fry someone else's PC.
5. You are probably right about it being the motherboard; and until you get the PC to run you won't know what else it took. You could try "bread boarding" the mobo ie. remove from the case, place on a non-conductive surface, disconnect everything except your monitor(use integrated graphics), key board and mouse, and one stick of RAM (no hard drives, no video card, no other add-in cards). If it boots into the BIOS, then shut down and add one part at a time until you find the bad part. Remember, the PSU has to be checked out first, or use your old one.
6. Look into your parts' warranties.