Ricoh IM C3000 Newbie in the Boonies = Self-Repair SC362-01

[Tigerlily]

With that information, I'd say it was not working when it got wrapped in plastic, and likely had a more serious issue that they opted not to fix.
Bottom line is that if it was a known working machine to start , troubleshooting steps have a direction.
Since it was not, and you are not an experienced tech, it's a crap shoot.
Without having access to known working parts to swap around, it's VERY difficult to suggest much more than already has been.
I personally feel that you may have a bad BICU board (I hope I'm wrong).

I built my own computer from scratch in 1988. I have been working in and around computers all my life. If it is simply replacing a controller inside, I can do that. A quick search indicated the Boards are about $100. Is that correct? I don't have the manual with me, but I will look at that tomorrow.
How do I narrow down whether that is the problem, or not?

[sandmanmac]

I built my own computer from scratch in 1988.

Here we go.......
I bet Bill Gates can't fix a copier either.
IT may well not be a board.
That's the thing.
You got a machine out of basically a junk heap that didn't work, and want others to look into a crystal ball and fix it.

[slimslob]

I built my own computer from scratch in 1988. I have been working in and around computers all my life. If it is simply replacing a controller inside, I can do that. A quick search indicated the Boards are about $100. Is that correct? I don't have the manual with me, but I will look at that tomorrow.
How do I narrow down whether that is the problem, or not?

More like $450.00 for the BICU

[Tigerlily]

Thank you all for your help!