chainkicker, it is the 754.
More news. I have found that there could have been an ATX 12v Power connector (as an option with the mobo) to provide power to the CPU but that essentially is what seems to be missing. The case is a 300w ATX btw. Can only hope that once the CPU powers up everything else will follow? I agree with bjk that it appears not to matter what way the 'fiddly connectors' are fitted. Tried that and all appears to be fine whatever way i fit them and I follow the jump therory.
I have to change the floppy flat cable to a 80 pin version
I apologise for misleading you but I can now see a 4 pin socket on the board at about the site you mentioned. But the connector is not part of the main power 20 pin connector. I will buy one to-morrow. The handbook is not clear on quite a few things. Unusual I think because I have fitted MSI boards before and always without much of a problem.
bjk, I believe that it has on board graphics from a VIA chip - does that make sense?
Can't tell you how much I appreciate ALL the help and ideas you have proferred. Thanks very much.
Thanks again.
PPP