Windows 7 - Long delay loading windows 7 install disk

Installing Windows 7 Ultimate Signature Edition disk which came with the party pack, on an older Pentium 4 computer which has run Windows 7 RC fine for 6 months. Zeroed IDE HDD, IDE CD-DVD combo.

There was a long delay loading the disk before the initial language/keyboard layout menu comes up, and then an even longer 5-6 minute delay as "Setup is starting..." loads the installer.

The rest of the install went ok but seems slower than usual.

Is this a known issue for any particular problem? My guess is a slow or failing CD/DVD combo drive, which is not too big a worry since we rarely use it (previous Windows 7 installs were via USB thumb drive.) But perhaps someone knows more specifically what this might mean.

well there is absolutely a speed decrease reading off of a DVD vs flashdrive. I dont know if the difference should be so dramatic, but it could be.

The delay was unusual, but your analysis is likely spot on.

Any smokers in the house?