Strange windows 2000 problem.

[Grminalac]

Hello, I have for some time run windows 2000 without a hitch, within the last few days I have been experiencing a bit of trouble. My computer seems to be running well but whenever I attempt to open IE Windows explorer or my computer it takes a long time to open the window. I have done a bit of experimenting and found that this only happens when I am working online. (I have a dsl connection) If i switch the computer to work offline everything opens fast. This has never happened before, in fact I have not installed anything that could have caused this error. Any input would be appreciated.

 

[Grminalac]

Another small item of note. When i shutoff my computer, and cold boot. I always am prompted that windows cannot find the internet a window appears that asks to try again or work online: note this occurs when i attempt to open internet explorer or run ICQ. (this is normal) I select try againa and from then on everything is quite fine. I have recently noticed that after a cold boot I am prompted this whenever I attempt to open, my computer, the recycle bin and windows explorer... That has never happened before. I am wondering why these programs would require access at all or even why they would check for a connection.