Originally Posted by Keef
If the machine is taking 20 minutes to boot up, and the HD light isn't flashing, then something pretty basic is wrong. You could switch to Linux (I like Fedora, but I'm not brave enough yet to use it as the primary system - give me time!). Work on the assumption that there's something "adrift"...
Do you have more than one computer, and are they networked? Do you sometimes boot the one with the other turned off, and sometimes with it on?
How full is your hard drive? Double-click "My Computer", click on Drive C, then right-click and select "Properties". If it's over about 75% full, a bigger or a second hard drive is indicated.
Even if the hard drive light is flashing or not, 20 minutes (even 5) is too long. Something is wrong here.
A second hard drive will not only add more room but usually they are faster. Get a 7200 rpm drive that has a faster access speed. Transfer the stuff off of the "C" drive to the "D" drive. You will notice a big difference. RAM memory has no effect on bootup BTW.