Computer slows down when...

[drvingbird]

When my dsl is not working (a rare occasion) my computer slows down drastically: loading programs and navigating around is very slow. When it starts to work again everything is OK and it’s back to its speedy self. Why should this happen? I am running XP Professional on an IBM clone. Have good ram, lots of hard drive and lots of speed.

I would think the computer is a stand alone item and should not be effected by this; what will happen if in the future I decide to drop dsl – will I be stuck with a slow computer. (By the way, before installing the dsl, I had no problems with it.)
Many thanks for any help in advance.

[Raptor]

Scan for viruses, spyware and trojans.

[drvingbird]

Thanks, but that's not it. I do scan every few days and if that were the case I would think it would effect the machine connected to the DSL or not.

[2k dummy]

What do you have loading at startup? Programs that update automatically might be looking for the connection and having to wait for the time out. Some will make several attempts.

[merlin_2]

do you mean it  slows down when you are on the net....or just you are booting up...more info if possible..

[drvingbird]

To Dummy: You may be correct. Another suggested that my VPN may be trying to load and thus the problem. I will disable that next time and see if there is a difference, thanks.

To Merlin: No, it does not slow upon booting. It is slow when it is booted up and (since the DSL is out) I am not on the net. It is simply slow when on. In fact, it boots normaly. Thanks.

[merlin_2]

run this >http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger/  and come back...more info on what modem/router is used....is it networked?this is a list of programs running on bootup>http://www.blackviper.com/WIN2K/servicecfg.htm