Hey, I'm having a strange problem. After my computer boots up, it will work just fine for a few minutes, then it will slow down to a point where it becomes unusable. As an example, if I move my mouse, the pointer on screen will move part way several seconds later. Also, programs generally do not respond. I'd be lucky to switch focus once as the computer slows down before it becomes completely unusable. I've made several changes in the last few days, so I'll describe everything here. I used to have Norton Antivirus 2002 installed on my computer, but its subscription had run out, so I no longer used it. However, if I tried to uninstall it, I would lose all network functionality. I wanted to install Symantec Antivirus 8.1 as a replacement, so I uninstalled Norton and reinstalled Windows to regain network support. At this point I was able to go through Windows Update and reinstall all the security patches and upgrades. My computer was working great at this point, and was about the fastest it had been since I first got it. I installed Symantec Antivirus about a day later, but after installing it I began to have this problem of my computer slowing to the point where it was unusable. I figured the real-time virus scan was causing problems, so I first disabled it, then uninstalled the antivirus software altogether. At this point, I kept having the problem, so I reinstalled Windows again, hoping to clear out whatever the antivirus software had done. I still had the same problem, except that now my computer wouldn't run long enough to download and install updates. At this point, I did get the blaster virus shutdown message once, and I realized that reinstalling Windows had opened vulnerabilities. I turned off the Messaging service and ran a Blaster cleaning utility, which said it found no trace of the virus. I was able to run my computer in safe mode with network support (which does not slow down after a few minutes) so I could install SP1 and all of the security updates. I also ran the McAfee Stinger virus checking tool which said it found no viruses. Symantec Antivirus wouldn't install in safe mode, so I used Trend Micro's online HouseCall virus checking program to check my entire hard drive for viruses, and it said it found none. However, when I restart my computer in normal mode, I still have this same problem. The only thing that seems different about a boot now is that I get the screen just before the black screen with the Windows logo that is just a blank screen with a bar across the bottom that fills up, then moves on to the logo screen. Sometimes this screen shows up first immediately after an update has been installed for Windows that requires rebooting. Could some update that was partially installed before the computer slowed down be causing problems? I've tried about everything I can think of to fix this problem. Does this symptom sound familiar to anyone? Thanks.

Whipe the slate clean, www.killdisk.com.

After you wipe the slate clean turn on XP's antivirus program before going on the net to download the updates. It is not very good, but it helps. There have been plenty of strings about Norton and McAfee antivirus programs and having difficulty removing them. There are plenty of free ones out there - a google search will show them or wait awhile and someone might give you a link. Good Luck.

give a defrag a shot after you are installing and un-installing programs. sometimes it helps....

I'm having a similar problem, except the computer is still usable - just real slow. I heard from a tech about a virus that partitions the drive with many, hidden partitions that can't be seen normally. I get "low on virtual memory" messages. The tech said a program (I don't know which one) will find the invisible partitions and remove them. Has anyone heard of such a virus or the partition software?