You asked a legitimate question, and I'll do my best to provide you a legitimate answer.
The reason the application was spending so much time scanning your hard drives, it that an inter-relational database had to be created such that a search could be conducted not only on the 'title' of your filename, but also such that 'keywords' within each file could be seached. Thus, if you searched for files containing the word 'Blackbird', you would turn up files such as "Beatles - Blackbird.mp3' as well as your essay on "Migratory patterns of North American birds.doc" which had the word 'Blackbird' within the text.
That is why the scan was taking so long; I think you understand that a cross-referencing inter-relational database of every file on your PC would be a time consuming, and hard drive space consuming endeavor.
Secondly, I'm sorry to burst your bubble, but no one really cares what is on your hard drive; except for hackers and gov't agencies with a search warrent. If Google got caught (like RealNetworks has .... twice) searching hard drives; this is an invasion of privacy and is a Federal crime. It's like the phone company tapping your phone at random. This data would be sent back upstream via the internet; where other paranoid IP people would be able to packet 'sniff' your data, and would blow the horn. Google stock would plummet, so it would cost Google BILLIONS in stock damage, plus we have the class action suits and the breach of trust. Remember when Microsoft did this as part of the game install and registry back in the 80's? MS got nailed with Federal suits for illegal search, entrapment and violation of privacy; fines were assessed and MS lost lots of money selling games for about the next 10 years.
Thirdly, this database (if it were kept somewhere) would be fantastically huge. It would change every time someone deleted a file on their hard drive, or installed a new file. Think 10 Million+ users.
As to the Intel 945 chip; unless they are talking about adding or removing Dynamic Link Library (.dll) files as part of the sytem upgrades, there is only so much you can do to an OS while it is not running, before you destabilize it. The OS typically 'likes' to be running, and it will test the update for compatibility before adding it permanently to the OS (unless there is a WHQL approval from MS).
Personally, when it comes to Dual Core, I think AMD has the better solution.
Check this out: http://www.tyan.com/products/html/thunderk8qspro.html
"Secondly, I'm sorry to burst your bubble, but no one really cares what is on your hard drive; except for hackers and gov't agencies with a search warrent."
Really, only Hackers and The Government could access this information? I guess I have nothing to worry about! You can always trust our Government!
"This data would be sent back upstream via the internet"
Does not have to be if it can be viewed right on the hard drive. Sitting there is a nice file that I was stupid enought to create and serve up.
My main point is that technology is being created for the home user that continues to make access to all personnal information on a hard drive easier to view. Even with out a search warrent.
Your second point contradicts your first assertion.