annoying problem when holding option

I just installed windows 7 today with no problems at all. spent a lot of time setting things up and installing what i needed on the windows partition.

the problem is that when i startup and hold alt to select OS, it just goes to a blank blue screen with a cursor and no icons at all. it just stays there and i have to power off.

I'd really prefer not having to reinstall windows plus everything i just installed on the windows side... is there any known way to fix this? I can get into windows fine by going to startup disks, and from windows i can reboot to os x. I just can't get the startup menu to come up

I figured out the problem today. Having my usb speakers and lan cable plugged in were preventing the startup screen from showing the two hard drives. With everything disconnected it works fine. Hope this helps someone!