Replacement MB for HD Tuner card compatability with hibernation

[videobruce]

Sorry for the long post............

I have 2 Epox MB's. One with a older KT133 chipset and one with a nForce2. I'm having a problem with hibernation and the system waking after it is put into hibernation by this tuner card software:

http://www.mitinc.co.kr/mitinc/e_sit...rod_mdp100.jsp

I run 2k, but also tried XP, removed all other cards, reloaded the O/S, changed/updated the bios, changed drivers, stopped services from running, but the system doesn't return to do a recording EXCEPT when I use a 'helper' application to restart the system. Then it works ok most of the time.

Anyway, I think I will get another MB that will work with a AMD 1700 Thourobred B processor since I already have it and want to keep costs down. The only thing else I will need is memory.

I'm considering Abit or MSI. I DON'T want Asus since I had a major problem with support a few years ago with a video card that left a bad taste in my mouth for them in spite on their popularity.

My question is; should I stick with nVidia and go with a nForce2 Ultra 400 or try a VIA KT880 chipset? It seems this software wasn't really tested with anything other than Wintel crap as usual or was tested to a limited extent.

I have read some bad reviews on Abit AN7 boards and memory timming incompatability problems that has me worried since this was my first choice. These were older reviews, so the problems might have been corrected with bios updates. Also, bios saves were very long.
There is also the NF7 series. I'm not sure which board is newer.

The other choice is MSI with the K7N2 series. BTW, I don't overclock and I don't need/want the fastest thing on the planet.

[videobruce]

I'm leaning towards these Abit boards (5 different versions).

NF7
NF7-S
NF7-S version 2
NF7-S2
AN7

What troubles me is this review with a 'not recomend'. Another review commented on the long bios saves. Input on these points please:

http://www.hardocp.com/article.html?art=NTU3

[videobruce]

I am looking at cost and the physical size of the tower vs getting a SFF PC instead since it will be used with a Microdisplay RPTV (D-ILA or DLP). The tower is really too tall for where it will be placed (under the TV), BUT for $200 I can upgrade and reuse everything that I already have.

If I went with a SFF PC how much more are we talking? Do these have the PS's included? is there a nForce2 chipset SFF available. I would want to stay with a AMD based system.