XP SP2 starts with 45sec black screen

I recently modified my XP SP2 computer system to add 2 DVD drives, and an Avermedia card. Now my system boot goes through the bios screens and then goes into a black screen for about 45sec before it eventually boots to the Windows XP screen and then the XP desktop. The hard drive seems to go to sleep for that 45sec because the light is off. Then the light goes back on and it boots into Windows XP. What's going on? How can I get rid of this seeming 'time out' period? Thanks. Chaplain.

 

interesting.. mine has started to do the very same thing... will be interesting to find an answer.