I just added Win XP sp2 (just did a reformat w/ XP sp1 and then added sp2). Everything was working fine for about 24 hours. Now I am noticing that my computer slows down and seems frozen when I connect my cable modem. If I unplug my coable modem, it goes back to normal. I have tried antivirus scan (norton 2004), chkdsk, and Norton Utility fixes with no success. I would appreciate anyone's advise to get back and running. Thanks! Doug

Doug, Try something for me: Disconnect the cable modem from the computer and then open the Windows Task Manager. Click on the Processes tab. Leave that running and then connect the cable modem back to the computer. Check the Task Manager again and see if there are any processes consuming large amounts of memory or CPU cycles.

Jeremy, Thanks for your help. When I plug in the cable modem, the following seem high (I don't know what is considered normal though): Secretmaker 99 CPU 14,664k explorer 0 CPU 29,904k svchost.exe 0 CPU 27,860k *shows up on list 7 times though CCAPP 0 CPU 14,000k iexlorre.exe 0 CPU 20,264k system idle process 98 CPU 16k Thanks again for your help. I really appreciate it! -Doug

It would seem the issue is with the Secretmaker program; it is using all the CPU time. I believe it is a valid program as I went to download.com to check it out. I also, as a test, installed it on my computer and it is running without taking up all the CPU time. Try highlighting the secretmaker.exe process and ending it to see if that helps with the freezing. If so, you may try uninstalling and reinstalling the program to see if that makes a difference. Also, scan for any spyware on your computer just to be sure.

That did it! I really appreciate your help. I thought I was going to have to reformat my computer. Thanks again and have a great weekend! Doug