very boggled!

[Justin]

When there are no applications running(desktop
screen), the small hour glass next to the pointer keeps
flickering on and off. It seems as if something is trying
to load in the background. Its making my computer run
very slow and programs are not responding well. What can
I do to fix this other than wiping out and re-doing the
computer?

Thank You,
Justin

 

[dev]

/Justin/ said:

When there are no applications running(desktop
screen), the small hour glass next to the pointer keeps
flickering on and off. It seems as if something is trying
to load in the background. Its making my computer run
very slow and programs are not responding well. What can
I do to fix this other than wiping out and re-doing the
computer?]

http://www.microsoft.com/WindowsXP/expertzone/columns/northrup/restoreperf.asp
http://www.aumha.org/a/parasite.htm

 

[Kelly]

How often, Justin? Could be many things. Suggestions:

Run the edit on line 157
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

And:

Run the Task Manager, go to View/Select Columns, and turn on the following
columns: "I/O Read Bytes" and "I/O Write Bytes." This will give you details
as to which process is accessing the disk.

Although many processes will be accessing the disk, look for one with a high
total or a fast rate of increase, especially when you hear the drive being
accessed.