Column-specific VS Star (*) Query

[backscratcher]

Has anyone noticed that a star query (all columns) works but when a specific column (even just 1) is specified that the query actually hangs. I'm using TOAD.

Example:
SELECT * FROM CUST_HIST WHERE CUST_INQ_ID = '23454' -- this returns results in just a couple of seconds.

SELECT CUST_REQ_FORM_ID FROM CUST_HIST WHERE CUST_INQ_ID = '23454' -- this hangs.

Where does the problem lie?