So, the RAM checks. You said it yourself, if it's taking several seconds to check 2 gig of ram, then there's probably something wrong. I would take out a module and see how it boots. If that was ok, I'd swap in the other module and see how it boots.
Will try that, no clue why I didn't bother trying that since I do happen to have 2 1gb chips here.
(dual-channel setup and all, gotta love it)
Assuming that the XP slowdowns are seperate from your memory issues, how long since you've defragged the computer using something like Perfect Disk?
I got a 160gb HD (Maxtor brand, and yes I know they're prone to running hot) that's got a good 60gb free on it, and according to a quick analyze from the WinXP one (too cheap to purchase a defragger ;/), everything's looking good aside from a couple video game files.
(which are from games that prefer to store 2-4gb's worth of data in a single large file)
Also have a look in the system logs, particularly the Application and System logs for errors in the startup. Also, have a good hunt through your system's startup with MSConfig and see just how much junk is in there.
My Startup is fine, already had it tidied up long ago with SpyBot, and it still appears that way in both that & MSConfig.
Where-abouts can I check the system logs btw?
If it all seems to be ok and your machine is running slow, get a S.M.A.R.T event viewer and have a look at the error logs of the hard disk. You may find that the HD is on the way out - which could be causing the hand at the start, if the BIOS is having trouble actually autodetecting the HD.
Any idea on where to get a freeware tool of the sorts?
It sounds like Windows is about ready for its routine reformat reinstall treatment. Go on, spoil yourself!
I would, but I want to make sure my RAM isn't flawed first, else installation issues may occur. ;/
(that and I need to buy me a DVD burner, cause I'm tired of 5+ CD's worth of backups)
Turned out that the bios battery had gone flat and the bios had reverted all settings back to defaults which included setting the 'Quick Boot' option to disabled instead of enabled which is what I had set it to.
My mobo doesn't have the said option and does it on its own accord.