2m-Xbios freezing during boot

[k2x4b524[]

Before i go ahead, i know this has been brought up before, however i may not be searching properly.

Question:
My 5160 is rejecting 2M-XBios.exe a:1 b:4 /13, on each boot
It loads the driver, then hangs, cursor blinking in all its glory *only thing on screen*
I have swapped out each board - to find out also my ega board, the pal chip and one of it's supporters, has failed - - Anyway..

I think it may be the controller i am using.
I have sitting in it a Silicon Valley Computer CADP20B circa 1989, and i think it may not be taking to the software extensions at all

Has this come across this before? I do not have another controller to verify this, so that search begins after Xmas.
I really hope i didn't buy one TOO old for this purpose - I do want the 1.44 capability ro move files back and forth as i don't have networking for it, nor expanded memory to support many extras.

The XT inquestion have the following

64-256kb System Planar
AST Sixpak Pls
Multitech HGC Video board
Original Xebec MFM controller /w 10mb Seagate ST-412
Silicon Valley CADP20B

 

[k2x4b524[]

Another thing i have tried

DR-Dos 7.03

I found an old thread that briefly mentioned DR-Dos could boot without help in this setup - No dice.
I really think it may be this controller
I am, after the holidays, going to bite the bullet and find an 8-Bit high density if i cannot find a solution to the 2M issue.

Anyone run into this problem? Solution?