RE: bec soldering issues, newbie in need of your help!!
I see what looks like a blob of solder clinging to the "top/upper" side of the one IC (near the red wire) and the black wire on the right side looks like it was soldered in place with a cutting torch.
VERY sloppy work. Sorry.
I expect you have at least one short circuit on the board. Hopefully you have not burned up any components with excessive heat.