Update:
removed the midplane memory module and activation key and successfully booted into Bios.
cleaned and re-installed. same issue.
Removed the 5 HDD's and was able to hit "C" and get into the raid config. of course there was nothing there to config. quit and shut it down.
when the unit starts I do see the HDD's led's blinking on the backplane.
Unit just won't post with everything connected. I guess it has to be a bad backplane or midplane. I'm not sure what else to try except for replacing them.
Any suggestions appreciated.