I am sure by now you are aware of the alternatives:
1
Bring it to a local shop so they can throw a Wilmanette in and flash it to 38.
2
Call Abit and "buy" (outrageous that they make you buy it) a new 38 bios chip.
3
Borrow a Wilmanette or a Northwood other than the 1.6A from a bud. Personally, I would be more than happy to help you if you lived near me. (the 1.6A NW is the only NW that won't boot with the 37 BIOS).
4
Return your TH7II and buy another from a different place known to have new inventory. I got mine from
mwave and it came with the latest 38 bios and the faster clock generator.
5
Go down to CompUSA or Fry's and buy the cheapest Wilmanette they have (1.3?), flash, and return it. Assuming they have a decent return policy.
I feel your pain. This must totally blow. I did my research as I built my machine and I didn't come across this. I also just assumed mine would have the 37 BIOS and I would have to flash it. I was very happy to see the 38 on boot-up. I also went for the 2.0A, so I would not have had the 1.6A/37 problem, but if I did, I would have been clueless (I built it 4 weeks ago) and would have taken the thing apart and rebuilt about a zillion times.
Best of luck,
LJ