SBS 2008 Sticks on “Applying Computer Settings”

On startup, Microsoft Windows Small Business Server (SBS) 2008 may stop at “Applying Computer Settings” indefinitely. The progress indicator still shows activity, however.

Or, many applications take a very long time to load.

This may happen if there is no network connectivity:

1. There is no network adaptor in the system or it has failed;

2. The network adaptor is not connected to a switch/hub;

3. The network cable is attached to the wrong network adaptor (eg. it may be attached to a management port, such as those on Hewlett-Packard Proliant servers).