computer not starting up properly

[baldyblade]

My dad has a computer which is running XP Professional.
Just lately it is has started taking an age to boot up when he switches it on.
What happens is when he turns the power on the computer, the fan starts running and the disk drive has power but it doesn't seem as if the hard drive is starting to run.
It freezes on the black screen, with 'Press DEL to Enter Setup or ESC to skip Mem' showing on it.
It will eventually go the windows start up screen but it can take upto 30 minutes before he gets to that stage.
Once the computer loads up it is running fine.
I am not at all up on computers, i can do the bare basics and was wondering if anyone has had this problem and if there's an easy way of rectifying the problem?
Thanks In Advance for your time.

[ACtheTROLL]

start by looking in the bios at the boot order .... network errors can take ages to time out.

then try step-by-step startup in safe mode (hit f8 when you switch on) - this may give you a clue.

then download m lin's startup utility (http://www.mlin.net/StartupCPL.shtml)
try disabling any options you don't recognise (be careful ... one at a time)

[edd2blue]

yes ACtheTROLL
Sun 18/03/07
15:56 spot on with that answer

[paulwho1961]

to many problem total format and start again