I experienced this problem in Feisty & found that a small change to /etc/hosts file fixed the problem. (sorry I can no longer remember the details). I have upgraded to every release since without re-occurrence of this issue. I presently use Hardy.
** Changed in: gnome-system-tools (Ubuntu) Status: New => Incomplete -- [network-admin] bad format of /etc/hosts make slow Gnome Startup if no lan connection is on with static IP https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/80827 You received this bug notification because you are a member of Ubuntu Bugs, which is subscribed to Ubuntu. -- ubuntu-bugs mailing list ubuntu-bugs@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-bugs