Well that's good, BIOS issues are PITA. If you're still having issues:
Sounds like some hidden windows magic, I'd format the drive from a linux live usb then install windows on the blank drive after a reboot
Maybe disconnect the power and CMOS battery for awhile too incase there's something lurking in some onboard memory somewhere.
There's always linux, which is personally what I'd recommend for a server (less overhead from graphical clients etc) if you have the patience to pick it up, but hopefully the above solves your problem
Woah that's my dream house