PC lagging big time but my cpu usage is low what can this be ?

[NDENT]

Heres the systems specs -

Amd Xp1700
Ecs Mobo
2x256 (512PC2100)
2x80GB HD
Nec3500
WinXP SP1

Now heres whats the problem -

My pc is lagging big time. It takes me like a minute or 2 sometimes just to open up IE or or folder. The thing is my cup usage is low so what im wondering is what could it be. Ram, HD or something else ? Also lets say if i wanna unrar or burn something i cant do nothing else but that.

 

[mechBgon]

What ECS mobo exactly? Look in Device Manager and see if the Primary or Secondary ATA/IDE controller is on PIO mode for one or more of the drives (most probably the system drive). Other than that... do you have up-to-date antivirus protection and a firewall of some kind?

 

[JackOfHearts]

Check for spyware, also are you look in folders with large video files in it?

 

[Corsairpro]

defrag?

 

[NDENT]

mechBhon - K57SA or something like that. Its a older board had it for like 2yrs now.
Also seems like all drives are in dma will double check 2moro. As far as antivirus im not sure which is on it. Last i looked i think norton but it was a demo. Also i use the xp firewall.

JackOfHearts - Will run a scan 2moro. Did one 2 weeks ago & deleted what was fount. Also what do you mean by if im looking in large video files ?

Corsairpro - Not really sure on how to do that & what that does. I dont wanna reformt any of my drives right now as both drives are almost filled & contain import stuff.

 

[SkyBum]

Run Ad-Aware and Spybot Search & Destroy both are available as free downloads. Me thinks you'll be surprised what you find....

 

[NDENT]

Last time i ran that program $hit who knows how many stuff was fount lol. Will run again 2moro to see what i find.

 

[drum]

defraging simply does some rearranging so files are accessed faster. it puts associated files together.
pretty crappy explanation but thats the gist. it doesn't format your drives or remove any of your important files

 

[Corsairpro]

click START > All Program Files > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Defragmenter

Then defrag all Hard drive partitions you may have