<snip lots of useful stuff> As with Windows, the standard reasons for delayed boot up are: Unnecessary programs or processes starting at boot-up. Running out of disk space Insufficient (RAM) memory.
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I'd be surprised if it was down to insufficient disk space. I've got around 60GB of free hard disk memory left. (RAM is quite high too.) I have a hunch it's one too many random programmes running when they don't need to so as you suggest I'll keep an eye on it with Bootchart. I have found the .png file btw. Tucked in /var/log/bootchart Thanks.
Bev.