Thank you all for your help and support. I have tried pretty much all the things you suggested and didn't really find much.
However, when I turned off Zone Alarm and set my browser to it's default settings, it now runs like it's supposed to, with lightning speed. Apparently, Zone Alarm had something going on that caused the internet to slow down, because when I turned it back on to test if that was it, my browser slowed down again and I experienced the same problems. So, it's off now and I'm using just my Windows Firewall. I hope that's enough...for now.
Thanx again all. :)
If yes turn off the Win firewall & launch ZA
Also if you've got a separate AV monitoring... turn off ZA's email scan.
However, when I turned off Zone Alarm and set my browser to it's default settings, it now runs like it's supposed to, with lightning speed. Apparently, Zone Alarm had something going on that caused the internet to slow down, because when I turned it back on to test if that was it, my browser slowed down again and I experienced the same problems. So, it's off now and I'm using just my Windows Firewall. I hope that's enough...for now.
Thanx again all. :)
Good deal! I should have known......ZA has caused me some printer grief in the past. For an alternative freeware firewall, try Sygate Personal Firewall.
http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_description/0,fid,8132,RSS,RSS,00.asp