Abstract: The present invention is a high frequency, high efficiency start and quick restart system including a lamp. It includes hook ups for connecting and applying a power input to circuitry; a switch for switching a lamp on and off, and is connected to control power; auto-ranging voltage control circuitry; and a three stage power factor correction microchip controller. The microchip controller is a Bi-CMOS microchip. There is also a feedback current sensor; a power factor correction regulator; bulb status feedback; a bulb voltage controller; a conditioning filter; a half-bridge; a DC output inverter; and, output and connection for a metal-halide high-pressure discharge lamp which contains iodine, bromine or both, yttrium, an inert gas, halogen, thallium, hafnium, whereby hafnium can be replaced wholly or partially by zirconium, dysprosium and/or gadolinium as well as, optionally, cesium.