Slow response times in IE 8

I'm running Windows Vista SP2, 64-bit, Internet Explorer 8. For the past few
days I've noticed a markedly slower response time in opening new tabs, either
by clicking on a new tab near the top of the page, or by ctrl-clicking a
hyperlink (it takes 15-20 seconds, compared to almost instantaneous before
this started). Also, when I first open the browser, it's unresponsive, i.e.,
I can't type in a url or open a new tab until my home page begins to load.
One of my first thoughts was malware, but I'm running Defender and AdAware,
in addition to my anti-virus software (Kaspersky), which also provides some
defense against spyware. I've done system scans that haven't turned up
anything. Any suggestions about how I can troubleshoot this would be
appreciated.

Thanks.
--
Bill Cowan

1. Does the behavior persist if you start IE in No Add-ons mode?
Troubleshooting and Internet Explorer’s (No Add-ons) Mode:
http://blogs.msdn.com/ie/archive/2006/07/25/678113.aspx

2. Does the behavior persist if you Reset IE Advanced settings (RIES)?
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/923737 <= Read before using!

3. What anti-virus application or security suite is installed, is your
subscription current, and is it supported in IE8? What anti-spyware
applications (other than Defender)? What third-party firewall (if any)?
Were any of these applications running in the background when you installed
IE8?

4. Has a(nother) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on this
machine (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you bought
it)?
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since 2002
www.banthecheck.com


billtc wrote:
> I'm running Windows Vista SP2, 64-bit, Internet Explorer 8. For the past
> few days I've noticed a markedly slower response time in opening new tabs,
> either by clicking on a new tab near the top of the page, or by
> ctrl-clicking a hyperlink (it takes 15-20 seconds, compared to almost
> instantaneous before this started). Also, when I first open the browser,
> it's unresponsive, i.e., I can't type in a url or open a new tab until my
> home page begins to load. One of my first thoughts was malware, but I'm
> running Defender and AdAware, in addition to my anti-virus software
> (Kaspersky), which also provides some defense against spyware. I've done
> system scans that haven't turned up anything. Any suggestions about how I
> can troubleshoot this would be appreciated.
>
> Thanks.