Nebbermind. I downloaded it on a network computer and tried that. It didn't work, because it's actually an older version than is already on my computer. So, I downloaded Firefox. That seems to be working fine. But, the computer is still slow and whatnot. So, now I'm running spybot. We'll see. I think I'll run the virus checker again too. Something is definitely strange.

vw, what OS does your laptop have? If Windows, I'd check the Processes tab of the Task Manager to see if anything's sucking all the CPU usage. If it's a Mac, you can use the 'top' command from a terminal window (ask me how if you don't know) to do the same thing.

I've got Windows XP Professional.

Ok. There are 42 processes, and the CPU Usage is ranging from 3-7%. Is that good? Bad? Normal?

Ok. There are 42 processes, and the CPU Usage is ranging from 3-7%. Is that good? Bad? Normal?

So then, the total CPU usage (at teh bottom of the window) is pretty low? and the System Idle Process is a high percentage?

Yeah, there are usually 40 or more processes, most with obscure names....

When the computer is acting slow, is there a lot of disk activity?

Oh, and when the computer is acting slow, is the CPU usage low? or is the program you're using (IE, Firefox, etc.) high and everything else has a low CPU usage? (You can click on the head of the CPU column to sort the processes by CPU usage %.)

Oh, and since it's a laptop, it might have some power-saving feature that slows the CPU down. Usually this only happens when not much is going on (it speeds up when there's a high demand for the CPU) but you might want to investigate your laptop's power-saving features and crank the CPU speed up if that's an option.

(You can click on the head of the CPU column to sort the processes by CPU usage %.)

I had no idea! When I've needed to check, I've always scrolled around looking for the high usage process. You just made my day!

When the computer is acting slow, is there a lot of disk activity?

I don't know what this means. If it means, "is it loud?" Then yes.

Oh, and when the computer is acting slow, is the CPU usage low?

I don't know. It's better now, and I'm afraid to open IE, because it'll just mess everything up again, and I'll have to reboot and stuff.

or is the program you're using (IE, Firefox, etc.) high and everything else has a low CPU usage?

Right now, that is the case (with Firefox being high).

but you might want to investigate your laptop's power-saving features and crank the CPU speed up if that's an option.

How would I check that?

Also, you guys are Teh Awesome.

vw, you might try

1. going into Add/Remove Programs,
2. click on the Add/Remove Windows Components button on the left,
3. uncheck Internet Explorer, Next, follow wizard
4. click on Add/Remove Windows Components button,
5. check Internet Explorer, Next, follow wizard.

Hopefully that'll repair what's ailing IE (well, more than usual).