Hi cjordog,

It is unfortunate that the computer has a slow startup. Request you to run the computer in safe boot and check if the issue occurs by referring the below link:

http://dell.to/19TRSJ3 (if the computer has windows 7)

In addition, you may use the below link and run a hardware diagnostics:

http://dell.to/19TRWIP

Make a note of the error code that appears (if any). Do reply with your answers.

OK, so i tried to press f8 for the safe mode startup, but f8 did not do anything upon the startup screen. However, there were two options: f2 for setup and f12 for bootup options. I looked through both for a safe mode start, but I couldnt find one unless I missed it somewhere. I do have windows 7 by the way. I went ahead and took the diagnostics test as well, and there were no problems, but the second part of the test took over 5 hours! It said it would take only around 30 minutes. It got stuck around 94% and every percentage after that took about 40 minutes each. Is there another way to run a safe mode startup or am i just missing something? And why did the diagnostics test take so long? 

OK, so i tried to press f8 for the safe mode startup, but f8 did not do anything 
upon the startup screen. However, there were two options: f2 for setup and f12 
for bootup options. I looked through both for a safe mode start, but I couldnt 
find one unless I missed it somewhere. I do have windows 7 by the way and followed the steps for windows 7. I went   ahead and took the diagnostics test as well, and there were no problems, but the second part of the test took 
over 5 hours! It said it would take only around 30 minutes. It got stuck around 
94% and every percentage after that took about 40 minutes each. Is there another 
way to run a safe mode startup or am i just missing something? And why did the 
diagnostics test take so long?

Hi cjordog,

The diagnostic test time depends on the memory installed on the computer. However, there are no issues with the hardware of the computer so you may try following the below steps which might help:

(1)   Click start.

(2)   Type MS config and hit enter

(3)   Move to services tab and “select Hide all Microsoft applications”

(4)   Then click on disable all.

(5)   Now restart the computer and check if the same issue happens.

Do reply with your answers.

Hi Cjordog,

Try Kiran's advise and also checkout this article for you to download the AlienAutopsy tool and test the hard drive. You can download HD Tune as well and tell us if you have a warning or an attention message on the health tab.

I know this is a really old post however, did you find the fix for this?

I still get really slow Warm ups, Mine takes 5-10 mins. Glad I am not the only one.

Should I update my BIOS?

Thanks, Jason

Hey Jason! The answer is both yes and no. Kiran K's advice in this thread did help me to reduce my warmup times. You just need to find the right programs to disable on startup through trial and error. Some programs I found that severely slowed this down were Skype and spotify especially, and a few other programs. A lot of people told me to do a hard drive test to check if my hard drive was working properly. Mine was workng fine but this could potentially be a problem for you. In the end though, I didn't have to deal with this problem for too long as my graphics card failed on me a few months later, and since my warranty and service assistance from dell had expired at that time, I was receiving no help from them. So I decided to scrap my x51 and build my own pc haha. And let me say I'm having a much better experience with this.

In building my own pc I realized the importance of having an SSD as my boot drive, and I'm not sure how tech savvy you are, but this would be a great addition to any build to drop boot times to around 1 minute or under. However, if you have the x51 I'm not sure if you can install one because all of the parts are custom built and smaller. You would have to look into that, although this would definitely not be the easiest solution to your problem. Sorry I went on that tangent, but I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions, I'm happy to help.

Thanks for the quick reply and thanks for the advice :)

Also, Forgot to mention my Graphics card is faulty, Just wondering but what card did you have?