With regards to the battery you can replace it or leave out (depends if you want to keep time), only my main A2000 has had it's battery replaced the other is left bare.
Have you checked all the seating of the chips and the cards?
Just press all the chips down just in case some are loose.
also what hard drive card have you got? and does it look like it in good condition?
Check the whole MB for any signs of corrosion.
I'm just getting back into Amiga's myself so i may have forgotten something.