I have the same thing (or had, before doing my system re-install, don't know if I still DO.), especially when loading a Stonemason scene.

I think it's the amount of information that comes with a particular scene, for it doesn't overload when the simplistic things are imported into a blank plane one by one-only a collection of models/textures/shaders.

Defragging didn't help my computer at all-I used Carrara 3D Express, and 7 Express, and now 6 Pro.  I'll stop by after getting it re-uploaded and see if the loading time still extends beyond impossible.

 

Dar