Weird delay problem with internet (FF & OE)

[Mat99]

Hi folks..

for the past month or so, I've noticed some weird delays in my system, mainly with my browser and/or Outlook Express when clicking/opening/saving links.

I first noticed the problem on Facebook. When I would first open the FB page from a tab link, the fb site would open, but then the browser would "freeze" for about 30 seconds, like it's loading something really massive and complex. After it's done, the rest of the page (usually ads) would become operational. This would happen 1-2 times again in the next few minutes, but then no more, if I don't reopen Firefox that is.
Similar thing happens when I open a pdf file. Adobe reader opens really fast, it also shows the first page really fast, but then it freezes and takes 20-30 second before I can actually scroll the pages.
Similar with youtube videos. When I first click on a video it takes 15 seconds to open it. Same with other clips.
Same thing with link in emails from Outlook Express. When I click on a link in an email I get from a friend, it takes 20-30 seconds, before that link is opened in my browser.

And now the latest thing that started today, saving files. If I want to save a file from the net using FF, I would usually just click on the link, the "Save As" pop-up would open, I'd click Save and that would be that. But now after I click Save, if freezes for 30 seconds before actually starting to save the file.

I always thought it has something to do with Java or JavaScript, but I don't really now.
Anyone has any idea what could be wrong and how I could fix this?

TIA,
Mat

Using XP SP3, FF 3.6

 

[Mat99]

Nobody has any idea what could be wrong?

 

[VirtualLarry]

Is your HD failing? Or spinning up? (Do you have Windows set to spin down your HDs after a certain time period?)

 

[Mat99]

Hi Larry, thx for reply..

I don't think my HD is failing. There's no weird sound or anything like that. I use WD Black for OS and it's the same setup since I build the system about 2 years ago.

I now noticed the same problem with emails from FB. I get FB email status report for my FB Page every week. When I click on the mail to open it, it opens right away, then Outlook freezes for 20-30s before it lets me delete it. I haven't noticed this problem with any other email (except with other emails from FB).

 

[Bill Brasky]

Just for my own curiosity, can you go to control panel/ power options/ advanced options and make sure the hard disk isn't set to spin down?

Are you familiar with Process Explorer? It allows you to monitor individual cpu and hard disk usage for every .exe running on your computer. I would recommend loading up Process Explorer (no installation necessary, just run the .exe) and watch what's happening on your system during the freezes.

 

[Mat99]

@ Bill / I checked, there's no spin down or anything like that set on ON..

I ran Process Explorer, but not sure what to look for really. I watched it when a freeze happened, but didn't see anything strange. FF shot up in processor needs and it's ram usage increased, but nothing else really..

And the freezes continue.. :/

 

[Steltek]

I'd download a Linux live distro CD and use it to boot the machine. If the problem doesn't recur in Firefox under Linux, at least you'll have eliminated hardware failure as a possibility.

Have you run System File Checker in Windows to see if you have a corrupted file? Also, have you updated any drivers recently? I have a continuing problem on my desktop where Windows update keeps trying to update the Ethernet port driver on my machine with a driver that is the wrong one for my hardware.

 

[kore]

Do you think it's possible to have any malware/virus that is eating your computer memory or smt?

 

[Lorne]

Have you changed the CPU at about the time this started?