Thanks Mav, Flyvote and Msg! Going right now to check on fasterfox and Ultrasentry.

The few days I did have Joost, I made sure the program was off when I wasn't looking at it. Which was exactly twice.

Good work, Mav!

I'll also suggest: UltraSentry by IDM. Google it. It helps clean up IE and Firefox other files.

Deb - I just went strolling through the Net and found this about Joost-

globeandmail.com

"Paul who is from Vancouver, Canada writes: .
Joost is co-founded by the same clowns responsible for the KaZaA file-sharing service.

Kazaa has long been associated with adware and spyware.

StopBadware.org found:

-- Kazaa has deceptive installation procedures, modifies other software, interferes with computer use, and is hard to uninstall. Although Sharman Networks claims Kazaa includes no spyware, it does include software that subverts the computer's operations. Kazaa also installs adware that can only be closed by killing the process from the Windows task manager.

From Joost EULA
4.2.3. When installed on your computer, the Joost Software may periodically communicate with Joost servers and/or Joost Software installed by other users. Additionally, third party software installed on Your computer may periodically communicate with third party servers for the purposes described in the license agreement or privacy policy between you and that third party.

Third-party software? Like maybe ad-ware, spyware, or malware?"

Sounds like maybe the Joost is the problem...

I was sent to you by Mavourneen.

I hate to suggest this harsh advice, but I've abandoned Norton because it really screws things up. The machine that I had norton on I COMPLETELY reformatted and reloaded just to get rid of the horrid things that Norton did.

Also - check the AntiVirus and Spyware settings that you have. Some programs check every little thing as it happens, increasing load times for programs and files.

If you use Firefox, find the "fasterfox" extension and increase your load times.

The clean slate might be a lot of work, but it would be the most satisfying afterward.

I had an old version of Norton, but couldn't afford to renew, so I got AVG. Finally removed Norton and components w/in the last week too. AVG runs every couple of days.

I was going to recommend AVG, but I see you are already using it.

Sorry ..I'll ask around good luck:)