The system has been degrading in performance over time
(as I've been told)
Lately it won't boot or takes a long time to boot, yet
I've watched it also do a perfect boot into Knoppix.

The odd thing I've noticed is that it says 1.60A Ghz P4
some times and it also says 2133Mhz...

Would this be the cpu TRYing to run at 2133Mhz?
(Knoppix actually showed the cpu ID information and it showed
Intel P4 1.60A Ghz and the cpu Mhz rating was 2133.

The board will hang on "Entering Setup" even if no drives
are installed.

But once in a while it will just boot straight up no problem!

I can't help but think that I'm missing something basic here...