Long Pause After POST???

What does it mean when you start up a system, and after POST and
detection of drives, it seems to hang on the POST screen for two or
three minutes before finally booting Windows? I am currently working on
two systems that are both doing this(!) Is it a sign that the Mobo is
not long for this world?

Dave

 

Could be. But more likely, your systems are waiting for a
non-responding DHCP server.
To find out: (temporary) assign a static IP address.

An other --but rather similar-- reason would be, that you have
some nasty software installed that attempts to contact something
on the web prior to any boot.
(Use a sniffer, like Wireshark, to find out.)

 

Could be a dying hard drive? Could be coincidence that it is happening on
two systems?

My first thought.

sa

 

I have seen this with a computer that had wireless mouse and keyboard.
It would boot normally with std mouse and keyboard and took several
minutes to do so in its natural configuration

Sean