UPDATE-- I didn't see your post, lol. Disregard the following.

KD,

You could also try this.

Two things to try. One go into Add/Remove programs and remove any programs you don't use. Like stuff that came with your computer when you bought it. Example. I had a program to make movies. Ya right, lol. Puter will warn you if it doesn't think it's a good idea that you remove it.

And try this. The list are programs that automatically start up. Example, you don't need your Ad-aware to start up every time you turn your puter on. It will start when you run it the same way.

Start
Run
Type in MSConfig
Click on Start Up
"Deselect" the ones you recognize, like Ad-aware

http://netsquirrel.com/msconfig/

That might help a little.