I would get rid of Kazaa. Its a hotbed for infectious files galore. A recent srudy found that nearly 45% of DLs were infeceted from Kazaa. That could be your problem. Maybe not all of it, but some.

Just because your not running Kazaa, don't mean that one of the many 'added goodies' isn't runnin in your system. Check task manager, make sure you know whats running, if your not sure what they are, try here for known tasks:

http://www.answersthatwork.com/Tasklist_pages/tasklist.htm

If after that, there are still problems, you may have some sort of mal/spyware, then try the 2 apps below.

AdAware and SpybotSearch & Destroy are 2 of the most trusted apps in the security area. They are both free, compliment eachother nicely, and do not use alot of resources. They can be found here:

AdAware:      http://www.lavasoftusa.com/

Spybot Search & Destroy:      http://www.safer-networking.org/

With AdAware and Spybot: DL, check for updates, then scan, repair/remove/quarentine anything found in RED. Reboot before next scan with whichever app is next.

Also, to further protect yourself, get these 2 apps, for active prevention:

Spyware Guard & Spyware Blaster      http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/index.html

All the above are free.

PS, if you still want to keep Kazaa, try this app, supposed to kill off all the junk, and still let Kazaa work:

http://klean.openwares.org/

Message Edited by Temerc on 04-01-2004 07:36 PM

I echo Termerc's comments with comment. 

At this early stage of your new pc it would be a good idea to remove Kazaa, sort out your problem and become familiar with normal running.  Consider reinstallation later if you want it.

If you run Kazaa just once (ie if it is installed) you have all the basic spyware from that source on the pc.  Any similar progs you decide to load in the future, try to refuse all the "extras".  They are straight adware/spyware.  If you decide to keep Kazaa, you will have to put certain files on the "ignore" list of say ad-aware or spybot, otherwise kazaa will not run.  Run the spyware prog and remove everything it finds.  Reinstall kazaa, run the spyware again and put all the new stuff on the "ignore" list.

I run Kazaa occasionally.  Anything downloaded I scan immediately with anti-virus software.  As soon as possible I scan the pc for virus and spyware.

The two spyware progs Temerc mentioned, you may find that one or other may not run well on your pc.  If it does not, get the other.  You can't install both if my memory serves me because they think each other is spyware!

Kazaa leaves spyware all over when you uninstall it but Im sure theres a program on I think either Doug Knox or Kellys Korner web sites to remove the spyware .

Morpheus leaves files all over as well but you will just have to remove them as you come across them .

KLite is a free hacked spyware free version on the same network but you are better off with overnet its a better  cleaner network (E Donkey network). Both off these hog your band width when running and if left running for days on end can cause instability so it is best to switch off once a day for half an hour to allow your system to cool then cleanout and defrag before starting again.

DVD copiers and winrar use a lot of cpu so will slow other processes while running .

You can go to task manager and check processes under cpu to see what is using the resources (system idle should be high - 99% ish).

recently I experimented with removing un used .Dll's and installed a few new codecs without removing old ones and I noticed when I tried to open C:\WINDOWS or System 32 folder it was taking 2 - 3 min's.so try uninstalling your new divx codec to see if it helps , its worth a try.

Other then that it looks like you may have to format and reinstall XP.

I echo the comments about needing to run Spybot and Adaware. I'd add Hijackthis to the list and post the results of Hijackthis to see if anyone see's something that may be causing the problem.

Also, when you did the Disk Cleanup did you clean up your Restore points? Have you adjusted System Restore so that it is not chewing up space on your harddrive? This can also cause problems, if you get too many large restore points.

Mark