Windows

There is some thing wrong in your startup files.check your win.ini,system.ini autoeexec.bat files.Some program that start automatically while windows starts is not working properly.

Is this long pause before POST or after? Does it seem to stop at any specific point. I'd say that if your computer is pausing that heavily before POST occurs then it is most likely a video card problem. Most video cards show their own bios routine for a second before POST happens, is this where you get the pause? Sounds to me like the video card is the answer, you might even make sure that your video card is seated in it's slot properly, AGP cards are very picky about how tight they are pressedinto their slot.

If it is pausing just after the POST, but before the operating system boots up then first I'd try removing all unneccessary cards from your system and try again. If it still takes a long time as it did then I'd assume the memoryis the culprit (had a similar problem on a client's PC).

Have you tried:

1) another monitor or this monitor with another computer?

2) removing all memory SIMMs/DIMMs

yes try anothe monitor first, then can you get to safemode or better still dos c:\prompt, type scandisk /all /surface ,or chkdsk.exe hopefully windows may fix some problems, or go to safemode and the start button,run>type in sfc this will scan your pc for corrupted or changed files, cheak the settings before commencing to make sure yes is in each option, to enable yes click the add folder button of your choices. you may need your windows cd to restore any corrupted files.regards Merete

Go to safe mode then at run type MSCONFIG command select the startup Tab and then uncheck all startup files except systray.