Go to run, type in msconfig on the last tab of the window that comes up it says start-up you can untick everything there safely, but you don't want to untick everything due to graphics cards drivers, anti-virus etc. being there.
What hdd.? They probally have a super fast scsi or something. And no internet adaware etc. slowing down start-up. My PC boots up in just under 25s when I first instal.