Mac Pro will not start; shuts down after 1 second

Over the past several weeks our Mac Pro got finicky about starting up. It would get partway through the boot (apple logo & spinning wheel) but then suddenly shut down.
Today it stopped getting that far. On pressing the power button I get at most 1 second of activity and then it shuts down.
Did the supposed SMC reset procedure (which is merely to unplug the power cord for a while) with no luck.
Cannot get CD tray to open, nor to start in safemode with Shift.
This seems to differ slightly from symptoms others have reported. The most relevant discussions are archived, of course with no solution from Apple.
Anyone have an alternative approach other than 'take it to Apple'? (Of course, Applecare expired July 23; they time these breakdowns well.)

The reality is the following: nobody knows nothing regarding a solution, that is not the exchange of logic board. Apple Computer doesn't accept that is a serial problem to give us a recall , I've reading many people saying a lot of ******** and nobody gives the true solution, that until now is to exchange logic board . I want a solution that no envolves exchange of logic board .
PS1: I have 8 MacPros early 2008 and have exchanged 3 logic boards and have others with the same problem , and I don't want to give more money for an error of Apple Computer . You know that after long time , Apple accept that graphics adapter of Mac Pro early 2008 had problems and now (after july) is promoting a recall . We have to have this for logic board too . When I talk with them , they say that nobody related this problem before . It's impossible . It's a war and we have to win .
As I have 8 Mac Pros (same model) and I have exchanged 3 logic boards , I've tested every parts of the others and I'm sure that the problem is with logic board (no power supply , no processor , no graphic adapter , no Mac OS version , no memory , no eletrical issue , no UPS problem - Apple doesn't recomend any UPS) . I have lost much time , doing all the possible tests , with system , without system , with 17 , 20 , 24 and 26 degree Celsius , all possibilities and no solutions , except exchange logic board .
PS2 : When one Mac Pro was under garantee , I exchanged a logic board and only two months after , I had to exchange again , because I had the same problem .

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Mac Pro will not start; shuts down after 1 second

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