1. Because of the way Windows writes the master boot record, and the fact that my operating system is stored on a SATA hard drive (which is treated as SCSI) means that whenever I want to reinstall Windows (which is often), I have to temporarily disable my 2 IDE hard drives in the BIOS.
2. Because of a new BIOS revision for my board, and a bug apparently in it, turning off the hard drives also turns off the CD-ROMs, even though they are on two separate channels, with a separate on/off option for each.
3. Because of who-knows-what, the latest nLite created a lackluster altered copy of Windows XP. Specifically, it didn’t properly integrate the drivers for my southbridge IDE array and took out theme support (even though I hadn’t checked that option).
4. Because I had to physically open up my case and unplug the two IDE hard drives in question in order to get a good installation of Windows, I noticed that the video card which I just replaced because of broken fans…. has broken fans.
5. Because of the fact that the AGP slot supplies fan power, and I can’t be sure that I troubleshot this well enough before, I am under the sneaking suspicion that in fact that video card is fine, and my motherboard is shot.
6. The idea of waiting a week and a half without a computer during the RMA process makes my guts hurt.
7. Damn.
Ouch. You have my sympathy.
Dude, do you know what this means? You have to stay at school longer so we can talk.