When the black screens shows with the location "typed" at the bottom, the beeping sound plays normally but each letter is shown is lot more slower (about 3-4 beeps per letter), then I need to wait about 10 seconds after the final letter before I can start playing normally.
I've tried setting the CPU Affinity to one core, both CPU 0 and CPU 1 and tried setting the compatibility to Windows 98/ME with no success. Anyone else have this problem?
System specs:
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4800+ @ 2.5GHz (No OC)
2GB RAM
Creative SoundBlaster Audigy
NVIDIA GeForce 7900 GS
Windows XP SP3

I'm also having this problem, with similar specs, except 3GB ram, and Windows Vista. I'd be interested in a fix. I enjoy MDK1, 2 would be fun for me to play.
For some reason though, in the testing mode, I got an average of 30 FPS with no stuttering by turning off Mipmap and T&L. The stuttering still occurred for me in the real game though.

I'm getting this too, only difference is that it wont work at all after the last letter.
I'm running a E8400, 4GB RAM, ATI 4870 (overkill for this game!) and Vista 64.
EDIT:: Actually it does eventually work, but after a much lengthier period.

Thanks, works a treat :)

Works for me as well. Although, I have a nVidia card. Still, forcing V. Sync worked.

I'm new here.
I have Intel Core Hd Graphics and text are is slow before missions. How i can faster up those?
Help me please.

I too have Intel Core HD Graphics and have this problem. Any suggestions?

what was the fix as this link doesn't work anymore

What was the fixxxxx........

EDIT:
Wayback Machine says:

We have encountered this problem on systems with certain ATI graphics cards. If you have to wait a long time for the pre-mission text to load (for instance "The Jim Dandy, Earth Orbit, 5:89AM" before the first orbital jump) you should try enabling Vertical Synchronization (VSync).

To do so you must enter the Catalyst Control Center by right-clicking your desktop or the ATI icon in your system tray and selecting Catalyst Control Center. If the application asks which mode you want to use, select Advanced and click Next and confirm by clicking Yes.

In the left menu expand the 3D group and select All Settings. Now, in the right menu, find "Wait for vertical refresh" and move the slider all the way to the right (Always on).

Remember to return this option to default when you finish playing MDK2.