Also, remember that some motherboards, won't flash when you remove the battery. You might have to change a jumper, then turn it on, then turn off, then change it back. POST card is actually a PCI card that usually runs for about $1000+ USD and when you put it in, it runs a series of checks on your computer sending signals all throughout your motherboard. If there is a problem, it beeps a specific number of times (sorta like morse code) and it tells you what it's not recieving a return signal from. You don't need windows to boot it and it is all hardware run, not software. Most people don't have a POST card though, keep in mind, but if you're lucky and have a friend that's a computer technician, then it'll pinpoint your problem in 20 minutes. What I would do though, is just take the motherboard into a store (if you're in usa, CompUSA or BestBuy are good choices) and let them check over the motherboard. Tell me exactly what happens when you press the On button as well. Becuase it could also just be a nasty virus that could have currupted your Windows files or even something as simple as messing with your boot-up screen (the actual screen, like the animation of the loading bar) and if the info is incorrect there, Windows will have all sorts of problems booting. I'm not too knowlegable on Windows booting and such, but if the F8 or Delete buttons don't work, it could also mean your BIOS got infected. Yes, I've gotten my BIOS infected with a virus such as Win32/CIH that overwrites your BIOS if your flash BIOS is write enabled. You will no longer HAVE a BIOS if its infected by then and then, well, bring it to an expert for that, and if worse comes to worst, buy a new motherboard all together. You mentioned you had an Athlon XP, most mobo's for XP's run under $100 USD, and offer 8x AGP, compatability with DDR400 PC3200 RAM (if you have that), and other today technology present in newer models of mobo's. *PHEW!* that took a while! Good luck!