My computer takes up to 5 minutes to POST!

I got the impression that he meant that the system took 5 mins to boot from cold boot(not necessarily meaning the system is cold, just meaning powered on from being shut off) but it didn't do it with a reboot. If that assumption isn't correct then he needs to clarify. Also, if it is incorrect, then yes, there is a possibility of heat related issue, or a temp related issue rather, because it would seem that the heat would actually be correcting the problem here. But that is jumping ahead so I digress.

You still need to clarify, if you run the system till it is good and warmed up, then shut down(not a reboot) then power the system back on, does it take the 5mins, or does it boot up like it does when you simply reboot? This answer will determine whether we can rule out a thermal problem.

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StormBringer ...
You still need to clarify, if you run the system till it is good
and warmed up, then shut down(not a reboot) then power
the system back on, does it take the 5mins, or does it
boot up like it does when you simply reboot?
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Storm, take a look back to hypermikem's last post and you'll find that this question has finally been answered. :grinthumb

Also, I'd like to mention that anyone posting requests for help should provide precise info regarding their problem. Tell us about when the problem occurs AND under what conditions it does'nt occur. Also tell us what has been tried and if anything was done before the problem started to appear. Be as detailed as possible to avoid any ambiguity - as witnessed here. Anyways, I'm digressing now, so I'll sign off.

It was still kind of a vague explanation, and I thought it needed more clarification to make sure that is what he meant. Anyway, I still think if you boot barebones, it will help you narrow this down. You will be removing many variable from the equation. If the problem does not present itself, add one device back, reboot, repeat until the problem returns.

This is GOOD advice Storm. I am in the 'fortunate' (possibly not the right word to use) position that I have experienced this exact problem (same symptoms etc.).

Something I can say for sure is that if the problem is caused by a faulty IDE device, then such a long delay on boot can only be caused by the boot device itself. If another IDE device was faulty, then you would not get the 5 min boot delay, but you would still get the occasional freeze while in windows.

I had the problem for quite some time before I figured it out, and I tried everything!

And I agree that the problem description could have been a little clearer.

I'm loging off as its now bedtime over here in the UK.

Sweet dreams all ...

Thanks guys, I registered just to tell you that this thread solved the problem I had.

JuniorHP - So what was your fix? I am having the same issues as noted above. I have tried everything noted (just about) (I am going to check the jumper seats and then flash the bios is needed).

It hangs before post for 2 minutes - cold or hot. All ram has been checked, moved and tested. All cables and cards have been pulled, cleaned and re seated.

Off to the jumpers, CPU and bios..

If any one else has ideas - let me know.

For what its worth
amd 1800
2 x 256 ram 2100
soyo kt-333 plat. ultra
Radeon AIW 9600
SB Plat II zs

Thanks in advance!

I went into digging, found that my CD-ROM had a separate 'fast' IDE cable connected to it(i.e.: Secondary Master), I decided lets just check if it will help replacing it with slow IDE(the one with the thicker wires) cable. After replacing the cable and rebooting I could almost not see POST screen anymore, the way I like it.

I don't know if this will be your sulotion as well, but it sure fixed all my time related problems.

Good Luck