Update: yea the board is toast... is there a specific board that is better?

I guess if the 5.5 will work with my currents setup then I'll most likely go that route depending on what the eta is for that 7 adapter and price

I have reason to believe the board is dead so a replacement may be in order... what would be the ideal replacement board 5.5, 6, 7, etc?

I am trying to mod a160g 7gen classic with a 240gb Crucial m500 m-sata (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BQ8RKT4/ref=oh_details_o06_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) connected to a m-sata to zif adapter that was recommended on another...