That error happens when the server isn't started in five minutes. To get around this, you can try starting it using the **command line.** To do this, open the windows command line prompt,  navigate to the root of your installation, 

`C:\Program Files\OpenGeo\OpenGeo Suite\` 

and start the service

    opengeo-suite start

Hopefully, it would work this time. Good luck!

source: [Getsatisfaction][1]


  [1]: https://getsatisfaction.com/opengeo/topics/how_do_i_start_the_opengeo_suite_when_the_dashboard_says_its_taking_too_long