Unfortunately not a good start

Updated:

I was really disappointed at first because my system had seemed DOA, but it turned out it's just the power button - there's something going on with that, which I'll need to get some support help for next week.

However, with some help from u/fowwow below, I got it running using the hidden interior power button. Aside from needing to take the case off to turn it on for now, it's otherwise running great.

My hope had been that it could reduce what was a 30 min workload down to about 5-7 minutes. I have yet to replicate the exact conditions for that test - I'm going to wait and make sure I'm not going to have to send it in to System76 or something to fix the power button issue before completing the full setup - but so far it appears as if it will achieve what I wanted it to achieve. I have large code compiles and other operations to perform that can use all of the available cores.

An example of the system at work: https://imgur.com/tRuQJcx

Original post:

I recieved my 3990x monster machine today. Unfortunately I can't seem to get it going, and I don't know if there's anything wrong with it or not.

System 76 shipped the system through UPS. The box looked fine - no dents or crushed corners etc. - but on unpackaging the system, the wood case panel was a bit warped and discolored, as if it had been sitting in very high humidity. Even though I didn't see any signs of shipping damage, and don't know for a fact that the shipping was an issue - if you're reading this System 76, FedEx is worth whatever extra it costs. UPS is known for using packages to play soccer with.

My system won't boot. No lights, no fans, nothing. The power button does not light up like I've read it's supposed to. When I turn the power supply on, I see a white light briefly flicker on and then back off on the motherboard. So I know there's power getting through, but pressing the power button does nothing.

I suspect it may be an issue with the power button itself, which is surprisingly complex for a system lauded as having a great case design. Is there any way to bypass the power button for testing purposes/turn the machine on with the cover removed?

Otherwise I'm going to have to wait until Monday to get in touch with tech support.