My computer contains: Athlon 3200gb, 1 gig Ram, I have WinXP SP2 Home, and IE 6 SP1. I have a cable ISP and the download speeds (which just tested)vary from 2500 kbps to 3000kbps.

When I CLICK on a link in my OE e-mail, I am immediately taken to the web-site. When on a web-site, and I click on a link within the site, it takes "forever" to download the page....I watch the green progress bar, not much happens. It SAYS "done", but I still have to wait a long time for the page to download. I click the F5 key to refresh and still it takes a long time for the page to download.

I've checked for malware (AdAware, SpyBot, MS anti spyware, and CCleaner......no malware), I ran a system scan for viruses (AVG and then TrendMicro Housecall....no viruses), I cleaned out cache, Temp files and cookies. I ran Repair Registry Pro and it didn't help either.
I also ran Start>Run: typed in: sfc /scannow with my original Win XP CD and this didn't help. I also did "IE Fix".... didn't help either.

This problem occurs with e-mails from PCMag.com; Lockergnome.com; AllExperts.com, etc. A link within one of these e-mails when I click on the link takes a very long time to download.
I would hate to format/reinstall. I don't know whether that would solve my problem, and I'm not sure how to put the backed up data back where it belongs. (I did a backup using MS One Care).
I sure hope that U can help me with this problem



Have you TRIED checking to see what services you have running?

Over a time when your firewall asks you if you want to allow a connection and you permanently allow them they will then use your bandwidth whenever you do.

I tend to manually allow each one as they ask and never save the choice. It can be a bit of a pain but at least you know they aren't trying to update themselves constantly in the background.

Check your firewall and change any 'unnecessary' connections to ask again next time.Thanks for prompt reply (BTW, how do I set to get an e-mail when a reply is posted to my question?)

How do I see what services you have running? and which services are not REQUIRED to be running?

I don't use Zone Alarm. I use MS anti-spyware.
There are 3 items: System agents (25 of 25 checkpoint monitored an no activity); Application agents (25 of 25 checkpoints monitored and it shows 2 blocked events); and Internet agents( 9 0f 9 checkpoints monitored and no activity).
Is MS anti-spyware as good as Zone Alarm. I had been advised when I got Win XP that I don't need Zone Alarm and shouldn't install it.