background file processes driving me crazy

[Guest]

My disk drive is constantly being accessed.
It appears that the following processes are hitting files (opens, writes,
query) vsmon.exe, cvpnd.exe, svchost.exe.
Have performed virus scan (norton), pestpatrol, and spyhunter scans -
nothing found.
All started after XP - SP2 installed
vsmon.exe appears to hit c:\windows\Prefetch & system32\zonelabs
cvpnd.exe hits c:\windows\Prefetch & Program files\cisco systems\vpn
svchost.exe hits c:\windows\system32 & service packfilei386 and others

They never stop what they are doing until I shutdown or put the computer in
sleep mode (I have logged over 50,000 in background file activity).
Currently, it just a very irritating sound coming from the disk drive along
with the flash disk light.

Does anyone know what they do and how they help me or the computer?
Is there a way to shut these silly things down?

system: Intel 2.8ghz, winXP (Home) sp2

 

[peter]

All those files seem to point to your internet connection.
If you are not using it use ZoneAlarm to stop all connections and see if this
fixes your access problem.
peter

 

[Guest]

Peter,
You are correct - the processes mentioned are trying to access the internet.
I am running zonealarm Pro - have it setup to block said processes, which I
verified by viewing the "events/log" files. If I terminate my connection
with the net the processes continue. I am about to rename the processes to
see what happens to the functionality of my computer (after making a fresh
boot disk).
Any other thoughts would be appreciated.
Thanks,
dm_shade