Thank you. And, I am sorry if you took the 'because I can afford it' the wrong way or directed towards you - it surely wasn't.

Edit: And just because I have been wondering this for over a week - What are your thoughts on Mrs. Palin??? Yes, you can reserve it for PM, if you wish

It turns out that it is an issue with the mobo. Removing the battery did help as it now starts, although, it doesn't restart consistently. If I apply unstable BOIS settings, it will hang until I remove and reinstall the battery. Another RMA process to go through. Both with Asus. First my 4870x2, not the R2E. I suppose cross-shipping would be too much to ask... $(#@*%$)@*$*@#(!