I purchased a new laptop (Compaq Presario CQ60) in January.  It came with VISTA (32-Bit). 

About 2 months ago it started freezing/hanging for 3-5 seconds every few minutes, no matter what I am doing........USING word, opening the documents folder, browsing, ETC.  All programs stop responding for a few seconds and then start working again, but there doesn't seem to be a rhyme or reason behind it. 

I believe it started when I INSTALLED all of my printer programs and drivers (taken directly from the HP website), so I uninstalled everything that the printer needed......but there was NO change.  I have since then installed everything again, as I need to USE the printer.

I am running Norton AV, nothing has been found as far as virus/maleware is concerned....not sure what to do from here.


Computer Specs:
Window Vista Home Basic (32-bit)
Service Pack 1
2GB RAM
Processor: Intel CPU 585 2.16GHz

Auto Update is on, so everything should be updated for VistaSuggest you start by using System Restore to go back to a point before these symptoms appeared.before I do that.....would it serve me better to just save the work I have on the computer to our external HD and just do a clean install of the computer? 

or should I just try the restore point?Restore point would be a lot quicker and no loss of data.newbie question alert........

when I do the system restore, I assume I lose everything that I have done between then and now?also, i just looked into the system restore point......and there is only 1 restore point listed, and it is from yesterday when windows was updated.......anyone know an answer to my (possibly) silly questions above?