So basically one of the contacts on the CPU isn't even touching the pin? I've never worked with a Socket T motherboard so I can't say if that pin is intentionally bent at the start or not. I'm guessing it's a defect though. However, I'm very surprised you got the POST "sound" with a defective socket.

I think you should post this problem on some more forums, like Anandtech and Sharky. If I'm not mistaken this is a pretty popular motherboard for Conroe users so there's bound to be a lot of discussion related to this board.

BTW nice system. And back in the day I thought my overclocked Winchester kicked ass... Oh how times change