Windows 7: system hanging before windows boots, unless...

I have a really strange problem that I've managed to narrow down fairly specifically. I pray someone here might have a good idea. Basically, I bought a new Gateway system, and made some changes. I decided to put in an additional hard disk, connected directly to the MOBO and install Windows 7 ultimate on that one, allowing me to preserve the Windows 7 home that came installed on the supplied drive. I went into BIOS and made the correct tweaks I believe, but I'm left with a hanging system after it boots up.



I've narrowed it down to this: if I press [DEL] to go into BIOS and [save and exit], the machine boots and then where the machine normally hangs, it follows with an opportunity to [Ctr-P] to get into the Intel Management Engine BIOS, and then boots to Windows as it should. So it hangs in between those BIOS's unless I first [save and exit] the first BIOS.

Obviously Gateway's tech support is less than worthless, especially since I committed the cardinal sin of deigning to make changes to the system.

Thanks to anyone taking the time to read this and ping their brain cells for solutions!
-John

Dag, posted to wrong place ... will repost to better spot!