Add hardware wizard problem

when attempting to either update drivers for existing
hardware or when the wizard runs in the background on
system start, it goes on a major go-slow and will either
take forever to complete or more likely not at all.the
disk light flashes a regular pattern at about 1ce a
second and will basically do that until i terminate it
manually.this hasnt been so much of a problem until now
as i have just purchased a new graphics card. any
info/advice much appreciated..to e-mail addy if poss.

Thanx.