I don't know if this is the same problem as I lack a null modem cable but mine sometimes takes 30 seconds or so to actually boot and show vga output.
If I flip the power switch and turn it back on after a little while I have to wait much longer, in the meantime the PWM fans are off and it is dead to the world.
There is also a problem where loading the kernel too fast results in an immediate reboot, I must wait at the grub screen for 15 seconds or so if I don't want this to happen
I am curious do you guys have a uniprocessor system without the second 8pin connection?