It is most likely the cpu having a bad pin contact.
Wiggle, yes wiggle, the cpu cooler (and therefore the cpu contact) slightly and some bad pin contact can improve that way.
This actually "works" better than removing the cpu and plugging it back in.
Just tried the cpu trick by wiggling it into it's socket but did not work.
Even repasted it on the cooler and still nothing has changed.
@philipma1957 The CPU has always worked with this stick of ram and it is the kind that have leds flashing on the top so it shows when it is actively doing something (old ddr3 ballistix). While it boots the motions slow down but when actively processing they will speed up pulsations of leds. They were inactive. The one stick of ram is good as I had tested it on another motherboard I had available.
Looks like I will be getting another mining motherboard afterall.
Thanks all for the advice and trouble shooting tips but it seems that I have a dead board.