see that's what I was thinking too about the system usage at the bottom of the task control... however I have nothing else to explain why the hell my system is running so shitty... I guess I was just reaching out for an option... maybe it's time to get a new HD...

anyone else haave any suggestions or experiences with this and how they solved it... maybe I have a related situation....

on a complete side note... I'm so glad this is an international computer forum... it's a nice haven of rest to get away from various domestic political debating. thanks TZ and all of it's members...