Even my computer does not take that long to load programs when running from CD. Spec:
o P133 MHz
o 80Mb RAM (500Mb Swap)
o 2x 4.3Gb Hdd (One has Windows, other is not used for OS)
o Cirrus Logic 5446PCI on-board chip w/2Mb VRAM

I think that the CD-ROM drive is a 16x drive (used SiSoft Sandra and it reported this figure, although there is no label on the device ==> Compaq CRD-8161B)

It does seem strange that it is taking so long to start programs.

Paul.