Very long post times

[JC2]

I have a strange problem with a computer I built a week ago for my sister. Everything has been fine until today, when installing some software that came with a new printer then system froze. When I rebooted it seemed to hang during the post. I reset the CMOS, and restarted, it did the same thing this time, but I let it sit and about 10 minutes later the BIOS settings screen came up. I loaded the defaults and restarted, same thing as before, I restarted the computer without drives and cards, same problem. The computer loads windows just fine and system performance is the same as before once windows is running. The only problem seems to be the amount of time it takes to post.

The MB is a Biostar M7NCG400
CPU is Atlon 2500
RAM is 2 - 256MB Kingston

The BIOS is the latest revision that Biostar has released, voltages all look fine, and this happens regardless of any settings I change in the BIOS. What could have gone wrong to cause this?

 

[Swampster]

Pull one of the sticks of RAM and see if that does anything. If not, swap it for the other. It sounds like one or the other is defective. Remember, infant mortality in electronics is usually within the first 96 hours of operation, which you are likely within.

 

[LiLithTecH]

What OS are you using?

Is it an USB Printer?
If so, is it USB 1.1 or 2 (or model of printer)?

 

[JC2]

I'm no longer in the same town as the computer but hopefully my sister will try pulling the RAM and see what happens.
Here is some more information about the problem. When the computer is restarted the first screen comes up with the video information, then the second screen comes up and shows the BIOS version, then the Processor information, then sits at that point and doesn't display the RAM size and type like it should.
Both sticks of RAM are recognized eventually and after the RAM information is displayed everything boots just fine and quick.

The computer has win 2000, the printer is a Canon 470D.

Thanks for your help guys.

 

[mechBgon]

Does the computer POST normally once the printer is unplugged from it again?

 

[sinisterDei]

Well, does the system have a floppy drive installed? If it does NOT have one, but the FDD controller is enabled...I've seen this cause massive delays both in the POST sequence but also the Windows bootup and installation process...

 

[JC2]

This happens whether or not the printer is plugged in.

There is a floppy drive in the computer.