MacMini + Viewsonic G773 = 10 minute startup
…just bad news.
/var/log/system.log boot snippet [formatted for brevity]. Note the times:
May 22 16:40:41 popkin configd[56]: setting hostname to "popkin.eli.net"
May 22 16:40:50 popkin configd[56]: target=enable-network: disabled
May 22 16:51:07 popkin kernel[0]: ATY,RockHopper2_A: vram [9c000000:02000000]
May 22 16:51:08 popkin /System/.../loginwindow: Login Window Application Started
See that 10+ minute pause? Appears to be either network or vram-related. Since the bug is reproducible both with and without the network cable connected, it’s not the network. Plugging the machine into an ancient Tektronix monitor resolved the lengthy startup.
This is a 1.25GHz MacMini with a fresh install of OSX 10.4.6 on a brand new harddrive. The Viewsonic monitor is a 15″ or 17″ Viewsonic G773, model number VCDTS21543-3M. The only items plugged in are an Apple keyboard and a Microsoft wireless optical mouse.
Bug submitted to BugReport.apple.com.