IE 6 / WinXP Pro question

[RotKT]

some strange thing is happening to my web browser (in winXP pro): it takes 2-4 min for my browser to open a site when i type in the address box but it opens the page instantly if i click to any link on the opened page or from the bookmark.
appreciate your input

 

[spyordie007]

I'm going to assume that DNS is functioning properly (i.e. ping www.google.com brings up their servers' address and afterwards you can bring it up in the browser quickly).

So... most likely thing that comes to mind is some form of malware; how clean is this machine (http://www.microsoft.com/protect)?