If the card does not respond to the IDC query, and it is in the right slot, would that not point to the card? If I am thinking this through correctly, the IDC query comes from the processor to the card via the backplane. You should get a proper response if the card was in and good, regardless of tail cable status. If the ribbon cables are not seated or the tail has been pulled of the frame, that could be the reason for no dial tone, but it would not have anything to do with the NPR327. Correct?
I remember my large system I&M class where we had to troubleshoot an issue just like this. Card was in, but no dial tone. The instructor had put paper between the tail cable and the frame. The reason I bring this up is the card DID respond to an IDC, so the problem was at a physical layer someplace else.
This is a good one. Hopefully someone can figure this out.
Scott M.