If you don't get any response from board after power up (no OF-screen, etc), then it may be damaged by transport. OF-screen comes up after selftest and needs no conected HD - only a propper grafics card.
All you can do is to check correct seat of all components (el. contact!) and to measure correct voltage of power supply.....

Maybe that helps you: http://www.powerdeveloper.org/asset/by-id/29

Thx for the suggestions guys! Indeed, no HD is needed for the OF to appear so, that's not an issue. Yeah, I've tried a couple of good PSUs and properly seated everything , but it's no go.... I guess I've ran out of options here and the board isn't really working after all. :/

You may send it to bplan to repair.......
Contact: Mr. Thomas Knäbel, tk@bplan-gmbh.de

Yes, that might be an option. It's just it might be cheaper to get another board altogether or try to get my money back from the seller if he ever answers my emails....

What kind of damage can be done to a board during transport? I am asking this since no visible signs of broken stuff are shown on the board.

Are there any suggested diagnostic methods to find out what is wrong?