I think we have tried about every option to solve this issue.Thinking about it logically,the cost of a repair on this mobo would have been uneconomic,and the negative response from customer support in TW & UK has prompted me to find an excellent solution,I spotted a PC in the local adds,with 250GB HDD,2.8GHz cpu,1.5G Ram,450w psu & sata, all in a new case at £45.Also a clean install of XP Pro,(fully activated and updated.So I've bought it and it's perfect.As for the Gigabyte mother board,I have given it away ! HOWEVER because of the interest trying to solve the bootblock issue,I would like to keep this topic open,because ,one day,we might be able to help someone with the same problem. The good news is:- now I can get some well earned sleep,having been up most nights banging my head on my monitor!