Hi everyone, I am new to laptops, not too sure as to how they function. My question is, this is a Compaq Armada 1592 laptop with a fresh install on 98se, everything nonessential turned off in msconfig. When I boot with the laptop off the docking station, it boots in approx 1 min, when I boot with it attached to it`s docking station, the boot takes 3 min. My question is, is it normal for a laptop to take longer to boot when it is attached to a docking station? Thanks and Regards IKE

Hi IKE, Does the docking station have communication capabilities (like LAN or or ports)? Best

Hi jubalsams, thanks for taking interest in my question, and sorry for the delay in my reply. This docking station is not only the chargeing station for the laptop battery, but also has all the same external connections that the laptop has, usb/sound/modem connection/network connection/ps2 connections for mouse/keyboard/display/serial ports. This thing even has a mounting stand that stradles the station that you can sit a monitor on so that everything that can hook up to the laptop can hook up to the dock. Once again, thanks for taking the time. Regards IKE

IKE, What I am thinking is maybe the BIOS is taking the extra time to detect the different hardware. So a BIOS setting may improve the boot time. Which setting is unknown to me, try several. Turn off anything like "boot on LAN" or "wakeup on modem". Sorry I can't be of more help, sorta guessing game. Best

Thanks jubalsams, I was thinking along those same lines, at least there is probably nothing wrong with laptop, like you said it is taking longer because it has to recognize all the externals on the dock. Instead of guessing, I believe I will leave as is, I`ve got more time than money, and the bios is not my fine suit as well as this old compaq bios leaves much to be desired. Once again, thanks for taking the time to lend a hand. Regards IKE