files slow to open

This problem developed suddenly a few days ago. If I double click on files(DOC, PDF, RAR, etc) or an app shortcut(Word, Acrobat, Winrar, etc.) they take a long time to open - 30 to 60 seconds. If I open an app from the program list it opens fine. If I open a file from the app itself using file/open it opens fine. When opening a file I sometimes get a quick pop-up window saying that windows installer is "preparing to install" but it is so quick I can't see a related application. Using Win XP Pro SP2 and it's up to date. Ran up to date Mcafee Virusscan and Lavasoft Adaware and found nothing significant. Recently defragged. Appreciate any help!

Hello Bluesmeister, Where did you download your "RAR" software from? kind regards,

Hi bluesmeister, Does it make a difference if you disable your network connection/unplug your computer from the modem? If it's faster without a network connection, it may be an indication your system is searching for resources external to your own system. Regards, Ax

I got WinRar her last year.

http://winrar.downloadcenterz.com/

Ax, disconnecting from the modem solved the problem. Reconnecting made the problem return. Do you know how to stop this? Many thanks. Bluesmeister

Try doing the following:

• Go into any folder in Windows Explorer (not Internet Explorer)
• Click Tools | Folder Options
• Go to the View tab
• Uncheck the "Automatically search for network folders and printers" option
• Click OK

Ax, Did that already - no help. I have no other computer connected to this network but it seems that my computer is looking for files out on the internet somwhere before giving up and opening it locally. Per someone else's sdvice I have used the "netstat" command to try and find out where my computer is looking but I don't know how to interpret the results or use them to resolve the problem. Your continued help is appreciated. Bluesmeister

bluesmeister,
I think at this point I'd be worried about the possibility of Malware. I'd suggest you go Here, follow all the directions and post a log for the Malware experts to look over and see if you have anything "devious" going on.

Tomk, Thanks, I just posted there as well. Bluesmeister

That would have been my next suggestion as well, Tom beat me to it. When your log is clean, feel free to post back to this thread with any other issues you may be experiencing. Until then, we'll leave it up to the malware experts. Regards, Ax