Well, after some digging and dedication, I have resolved my computer issues, and I’m typing this post in Firefox, installed on Windows 7 (yum). It’s not as nice as OS X, but somehow it’s nice to get away from XP after all of those years.

Eventually I cleared the CMOS, managed to download a third party application from the MSI forums, which not only formatted a flash drive for me, but detected my system board, offered a range of available BIOS updates, download them, and did all of the necessary copying and configuring. All I had to do is press a couple of keys to confirm the set up, and then reboot my computer. Lo behold, my BIOS flashed in no time at all. After that, I ensured my HDD was connected to SATA port 1 on my motherboard and booted the Windows 7 installation disk. Windows 7 installed perfectly (or as perfectly as a Microsoft OS can), and has been running fine ever since.

It was such a relief, and I’m so glad I found that application before I went and bought a new system board and power supply. I love technical troubleshooting when there are grounds for progress.

I still plan on buying a Mac though – PCs just don’t do it for me anymore. I want to just leave this one in the corner and have it to play the occasional game on.