downloads causing heavy PC lag

This is the strangest problem I've come across with Windows 7. once I start downloading files, or my browser starts downloading images/streaming videos my entire PC lags until the downloads are complete or have been paused. Then my computer runs fine again.

This never occurred when I first installed Windows 7 it just started happening out of nowhere after 2 months of using the OS. I've tried reinstalling and it fixed everything and ran perfect, and now its back again! And yes it was 100% a clean install.
Along with my entire PC lagging if I have music on it starts playing as if there's no memory, and its unbearable to listen - the song starts playing in slow motion an choppy while my mouse is lagging like crazy also.

The only solution I have found is to reinstall the OS, and I really don't want to keep reinstalling every two months or so I'm going to lose my mind!

-Video drivers / Audio drivers all up to date.
-Only programs running are Firefox/Eset NOD32/Malwarebytes and Winamp
-I have 2 Gigs of DDR2 memory running along with a Pentium 4 processor

Right click on the taskbar and click on Task Manager. In the Task manager window, click on "Processes" tab, that will tell you what processes are hogging your cpu.
Incidentally, do you have Zone Alarm installed? Have seen some such issues with that.

No zone Alarm installed, I'm just using the Windows firewall

Sorry to jump on your thread MrCharles, but I am having the same issue.

I am running 64 bit ultimate, and this is really doing my head in. I have been trying to resolve this for about a week now with no luck . I have tried disabling AVG internet security, disabling all non essential devices in the bios, removed the drivers for the on board NIC card and various other things.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

DeZ

Wish I had ANY Ideas, I have absolutely no clue.

I've monitored running processes and memory, nothing out of the normal, I've turned off all gadgets, ive run registry cleaners along with defraging, even system restore, nothing seems to be helping.

I have now resolved this issue, for me anyway

I have an Asrock N7AD-SLI Motherboard that has a nForce 740i chipset. I used the latest drivers from nvidia.co.uk, the pack installed Ethernet Driver (v73.14+) WHQL that was causing the problem (thank christ for the spare wlan adapter i had lying).

So, uninstalled that driver and installed Ethernet Driver (v73.06) WHQL, now able to download at full speed with no system lag

DeZ

MrCharles, if the computer is lagging it must be because some app or process is hogging cpu or ram. You need to identify which.
So, one way is to check in your Task manager when you are experiencing the lag.
You can also check your event viewer. Might be useful info there.

So, thought the problem was resolved but it still remains have gone and bought a new Ethernet card as well. I'm thinking you might be right path Bill2, when windows first starts up i can download fine for a few minutes, however the system gets laggy again. I'm beginning to think one of the system services are causing the problem, as i have disabled every device one by one checking dpclatency checker.

Let us know.

Problem still going on, Whats going on here