HELP! X200s: 10 minutes startup freeze (win7) -- hardware?

[74aki]

Strange, really strange...
X200s, 7470.
Linux liveCD (Arch, LUbuntu, Gentoo, RHEL, ...) boots fast with no errors (I checked dmesg twice), works OK.
Installed Windows XP Pro boots fast with no errors, works OK.
I tried to install Windows 7 Pro twice and the same problem occurs. After displaying "Starting Windows" and Windows logo the notebook "freezes": for 10 (TEN!!!) minutes nothing happens. Logo is blinking, "Starting Windows" is displayed as for normal boot but HDD is calm, mouse is off, CapsLock, NumLock give no result, closing the lid -- the same, ... After 10 minutes it continues booting (fast) and works correctly and with no errors. No errors in logs.
I tried numerous BIOS setting (with disabling whatever possible), tried other Windows 7 installation CD, tried to disable extra devices, install Lenovo patches, Microsoft updates -- always the same.
Had no such problems with my other T400 and never heard about such an issue.
Seems like something with BIOS, timeout in activating sth., ...? I have completely no idea how to debug it.
The notebook is under warranty but is it really a hardware issue? Maybe BIOS? Maybe a new feature from Microsoft? Any idea how to guess it?

[richk]

Check the BIOS under "Boot". Make sure network comes after the hard drive

[74aki]

1. It *starts* booting from the disk
2. No PXE if you mean this Only ATA HDD0.

[richk]

I meant something like "PCI LAN IBA GE Slot 00CB V1351". Then look in the event log. See if win7 puts some sort of timeout message.

[74aki]

Of course not.

[Atreides]

Have you updated the BIOS?

[74aki]

No, I have the recent one.

[Atreides]

No, I have the recent one.

Have you run Lenovo's diagnostic software for the X200s (PC Doctor)?

[74aki]

Yes, it's says that everything is perfect...

[GomJabbar]

Could be a sign of your hard drive beginning to fail. Perform a complete check of your hard drive.

[74aki]

Checked twice (with BIOS tool and DFT). No errors.

[Atreides]

Checked twice (with BIOS tool and DFT). No errors.

Nothing else I can think of trying other than a new CPU/systemboard.

[achat_2]

looks like there is a lot to read on similar problems, maybe you can give a look at

http://www.google.it/search?q=windows+7 ... h=865&bs=1

A.

[74aki]

There is a lot of problems with W7 startup. Unfortunately I checked numoerous ones and those are nor *similar*.

[richk]

It really sounds like something is timing out. I would try disabling devices in the BIOS (under security/I-O Port access) "one at a time" or "some at a time" and rebooting to see if it magically speeds up when something is gone.