Speed issues

[One too many]

I've got quite a decent machine (1.8Ghz etc..). I started having performance
issues about a couple of months ago, and could not resolve it.

My resolution was a "FORMAT C:" solution, and rebuild. Now I have all the
latest drivers, patches, updates etc.. and my speed issue is back again!

How can I find out what is hogging my resources? Task Manager is not up to
the job - even at its worst, System Idle Process is still dominant (80 -
90%), yet Explorer takes an age to respond. Ideally, I'd post a screen print
of the Task Manager, but out of respect for those readers who don't care
about my issue, I'll refrain ,

Any advice gratefully received (and its not a virus, spy ware, trojan
etc...). My bet is on an incompatible software somewhere in the depths of
the system.

OneTooMany.

 

[DCC]

Does Task Manager show what is using the 10 - 20% ?
My System Idle is usually like 97% with no apps running.
DC

 

[One too many]

When I posted, it was Media Player. When that's not there, sometimes its
Word, Outlook, Explorer, Internet Explorer.

I half wonder if its messenger that's causing the issues, as I have had on a
couple of times two messengers on the taskbar.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

The issue is not System Idle since that is exactly what it is, follow
this link:
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/slowcom.htm

 

[Paul Sobosky]

I found that using Norton Antivirus really causes a lot of system slow
ups. Try using AVG antivirus, it is much less intrusive and has all the
same features. 2 years of updates for $33 dollars too. Norton is
really full of bugs, I learned the hard way. Hope this helps.

Paul