[mk01]

sam397,

normally no network connection doesn't matter as standard devices have RTC. but RPI does not. RPI without internet (or local ntp server) will always start at 1/1/1970.

you CAN"T imagine how terrible things can happen due a simple fact nobody (app programmer, system programmer) is expecting - numbers going backwards. or small break (1s) which will never occur.

just wan't to say, system as software will work of course but sqlite db, maintenance on it and possible other could have undesired endings. if you need to use RPI without network (or ntp server accessible), buy a RTC. for instance http://www.adafruit.com/products/264

there is no dependency to ntp currently to xbmc stopped/starting/started ntp should have no impact to xbmc startup. but will recheck.
what is happening there is maybe no-network + eth0 marked auto -> time out and failsafe condition . killing xbmc on request.

remove auto eth0 from /etc/network/interfaces an d check if now is starting without crash / restart / lags.