Computer runs very slowly after being on and not used for several days

[MPetry]

I have a Dell Windows XP computer that if not used for several days, loads
programs like Word and Excel very slowly. I'm talking minutes. Even to shut
it down takes a while to bring up the Turn-Off Computer screen. I've run
antivirus and antispyware programs and it seems clean. I've taken it off of
the Sleep and/or Hibernate option because it was waking up so slowly. I also
defraged and disabled the screen saver. If I restart it works fine. It seems
like there is a memory hog there somewhere. How can I determine what's
causing this slow-down?
Any ideas would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Mahlen

 

[FrankV]

Can you run TaskManager (RightClick next to the clock) when this is
happening. Which program is using high cpu?

Frank

 

[MPetry]

I think I can, but I'll check (I have to wait until tomorrow). Thanks,
Mahlen

 

[MPetry]

Thanks for the Task Manager tip Frank. The printer spooling program
(spoolsv.exe) had nearly 100M of memory usage. I searched for that program
on Google and found many many people have had similar problems with this
program. To solve mine I had to delete 2 programs in the System 32 Spooling
Printer folder. That seems to have done the trick.
Thanks again,
Mahlen

 

[FrankV]

OK. I get a similar problem but just occasionally. Next time it happens
I'll look into the spoolsv.exe.

Frank