I have already disabled all non-essential startup software. Currently these programs are set to start automatically:
Bluetooth Software
Synaptics Pointing Device Software [for touchpad]
IDT PC Audio
Intel PROSet/Wireless
Microsoft Userinit Logon Application
Microsoft Windows Explorer
my only hard drive is 500 GB and internal. I have about 450 GB of free space. My page file was automatically set by windows to 8.455 GB. I am not sure what you mean by "how your HDD is set up".
My PC's performance rating is 5.0
EDIT: Defrag is set to run automatically. It was last performed on 9/11/09. System restore is active.
The computer came packaged with a McCafee trial software. I removed it after noticing the problem, but it did not have an affect.
Yes, i am looking at processes from all users, though i don't know what they all are. I have identified all processes under my name. All other ones are listed as "SYSTEM", "NETWORK SERVICE", or "LOCAL SERVICE". I assumed these were essential.
There are 3 partitions on my drive: C:, D:(recovery), and an unnamed 39mb partition labeled "EISA Configuration".
Edited by mbrown3391, 14 September 2009 - 01:26 PM.