Question: Symptoms are what is described in the title. The machine reacts to the power button being hit by spinning up the two fans: CPU and PSU. The hard drive (SATA) spins up as well. No other reaction.

This one symptom is particularly weird, though: the optical drive will not open with the IDE cable attached, but if I unplug it from the mobo it will. I can turn the PC on with it attached, won't open; then unplug IDE while it is still on, WILL open; then plug IDE back in with the PC STILL ON, WON'T open.

I have disconnected every peripheral unnecessary to POST. These include: mouse/keyboard, PCI modem, the IDE optical drive (power and data), and the SATA HDD (power and data). Video is onboard. The only two things connected are DB15 video and power cable. There were 2 512 MB DDR2 sticks of RAM in it. I have tried running it with just one of them, then switched the other in. Currently seated is a completely different 1 GB stick that I keep around for troubleshooting purposes, and I have tried it in both slots. I have replaced the CMOS battery with a used one I had lying around, and which worked in the computer it came out of. I have tested the PSU with a tester to confirm it was good, then tried connecting another PSU just in case--same symptoms. I have even tried a suggestion I found elsewhere on this site wherein one disconnects power from the PSU and then presses the PC's power button twice, thereby "resetting" the PSU.

Currently I am trying yet another suggestion: turn it on and wait an inordinate amount of time for POST.

Any help would be appreciated.

Answer: 
I know this isn't exactly what you are asking for, but you might have better luck with a Drive Imaging software like Acronis True Image Home, DriveImage XML or Macrium Reflect Backup. That will allow you to guarantee a *full* copy of your hard drive and make it easier to restore your machine in case of a failure.

If you would still prefer to use a file based solution - I would recommend looking into FreeFileSync, SyncToy v2.0, or Unison File Synchronizer - these have native Windows support rather than trying to find an rsync utility for Win32/64.
I have used [cwRsync](http://www.itefix.no/i2/node/10650) for years with great success. It is a self-contained windows version of rSync. The same site also has another package for a rSync server if you need that, too.