Browser delay

[PaulFXH]

Hi
My computer is a Dell Desktop 2.53GHz/512MB RAM running on WinXP SP2 which is fully updated and protected. I have two HDs with a total of 240 GB space of which 155 GB is currently free.
While the machine runs well and is certainly not slow, it can display an annoying delay when I click on a desktop icon to bring up a web page.
This typically takes 10-15 seconds rather than the expected 1-2 seconds.
The delay seems to me to be primarily an IE6-related issue. When I click on the icon, I immediately get a blank white page which persists for 7-12 seconds before the green "progress indicator" appears on the taskbar. Thereafter, the webpage will appear in typically 1-2 seconds.
However, Quick Launch icons will bring up the VERY SAME webpages in about 1 second.
Furthermore, the Desktop icon problem did dissappear for about one week but has today returned. Unfortunately, I just cannot figure out what is causing this delay nor what I did to reverse it, if only temporarily.
I had already posted this to a different newsgroup and though I had the problem solved. However, the changes I thought had eliminated this delay are still there but the problem has returned.
So, can anybody help me resolve this one?


I provide here below some additional relevant information:
1. I use DSL broadband with 190 KB/s download speed
2. My computer is entirely virus and spyware-free. I use a rigorous regime of scanning for all malware and continuosly operate AVG-free, Spyware Guard, SpywareBlaster as well as IE-Spyad.
3. I regularly remove TIF files, cookies and history.
4. My TIF cache size is 50MB
5. I have disabled Third party Browser Extensions


Thanks in advance for any comments, ideas or suggestions,
Paul

[snooker]

Hi ... It sound like your browser has been hijack , I'm curious when you done your scan did you have system restore off ? Also did you try them in safe mode too ? You might want to do a hijackthis scan and have someone view your log , you can find hijackthis from link below

http://www.majorgeeks.com/download3155.html

You could also try to use a registry cleaner like CCleaner , link below but I would register with their forum site just to set up the program right , usually what they have set as default is good enough but I still would ask in their forum site just to be sure

http://www.ccleaner.com/

..

[PaulFXH]

Hi Snooker
Thanks for your comments.
However, I really don't believe this is a malware issue.
I really do run a very rigorous program of checks for virus- and spy-ware. These include HiJackThis as well as AVG, Avast, Kaspersky, SysClean, SmitRem, AdAware and OneCare Beta.
So far this year, none of these have detected anything of consequence.
Bear in mind that when I use Quick Launch I can access webpages almost instantaneously. However, this only occasionally occurs from the Desktop icons.
Therein lies the problem.
But why?
Paul

[snooker]

Hi ... Well if you truly believe you haven't been hijack , Then I would say that you some how corrupted / deleted some files which were needed for your browser , have you done a system file checker ?

PS : I see you listed 3 anti - virus programs , Are you using 3 ?

[PaulFXH]

Hi Snooker
The only AV I use continuously is OneCare. All of the others are used on an occasional-scan basis only.
I agree that the cause of the problem seems much more likely to be some type of corruption and, yes, I have run System File Checker quite often.
However, there are two important aspects of the problem which must have a bearing on its cause and, therefore, its likely resolution:
1. The problem seems readily reversible (i.e it comes and goes without any conscious effort on my part)
2. The problem is readily circumvented by using Quick Launch icons rather than Desktop icons.

It really behaves as if it is caused by some simple check-box being sometimes checked and sometimes unchecked.
Thanks for giving some attention to this problem.
Paul

[snooker]

Have you try to recreate a desktop icon of your browser ? Like for instance delete the one you have now and then just drag the IE icon from the quick lanuch area onto your desktop , Does that work any better ? Also have a view at these 2 links below

http://www.theeldergeek.com/repair_r...e_and_oe_6.htm

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=318378

....

[PaulFXH]

Snooker
Thanks for your further suggestions.
I tried various manipulations with the Quick Launch icons and Desktop icons, dragging one icon from one location to the other.
Actually, dragging from Desktop to tray really only copies as the original icon stays on the desktop. However, the other way around (from tray to Desktop) is a genuine re-location.
Nevertheless, no breakthrough to report here as an icon that provoked the delayed webpage recall while on the Desktop allowed instantaneous webpage access from the tray (for re-locations in both directions).
In other words, it looks like whatever mechanism the desktop icons are using to call up a webpage via IE6 is inducing an almost constant 4 second delay (I timed it). Whereas, from the Quick Lauch icons, this delay is totally avoided.
I really don't know if this indicates a corruption of part of IE6.
Nevertheless, if I don't make any further progress I'll have a go at the re-installation of IE6 that you suggested tomorrow.
Paul