Desktop problem

Okay, I need some help. I have a custom built desktop. The motherboard is an asus striker extreme. So here is the problem I am having. I recently purchased this motherboard to replace my ole one of the same model that died. I assembled the components and everything seemed to be in order but when I went to boot I didn't get any picture. I know for a fact that the video cards are in working order, i did try them both in another computer. When I turned the computer on I didn't get any beeps like one long beed which in my experience is saying that either the video card is not plugged into an external power source or the CPU is defective. I can hear the hard drive working and my monitors are all good.
I took the computer apart and noticed that it looks like there is a bit of thermal paste on a few of the pins where the CPU mounts. I know for a fact that this was not my doing but may have been there when the person I got it from disassembled in. My question is, if it is thermal paste could this be why the computer is not booting up? If it is thermal paste, when I turned the computer on is there a possibility that it damaged the motherboard and or the CPU? I was going to use alcohol and a coffee filter to try and remove the thermal paste, if that is what it is, then try again but thought I would ask first before I go through the motions. Oh and the motherboard battery is new as well. Thank you in advance for any advice and opinions.