What can cause delays in opening programmes?

O/s = winXP

With only my "desktop" icondon view ( avg, avast, running in the background) I click on the photoshop icon, which slightly fades and then nothing happens for a few seconds, around a 10 seconds delay, during this time the cursor goes into into "egg timer" display for a second or two then reverts back to the arrow only).

After 10ish seconds elapse the cursor goes back into "egg timer" display and then the programme begins to open. With

the programme window fully opened the screen goes black for a second then the programme window reappears. If i then try to use it the programme the screen locks for about 3 seconds, it then unlocks and only then does everything work as it should. If i then want to open another programme i click on the desktop icon, the cursor goes into eggtimer display then back to arrow only display - it does this about 3 times and then the new programme begins to open.

Why do i get all these "delays" ??? - it is soooo frustrating.

Thanks, Dug.

What can cause delays in opening programmes?spyware

all the above answers are correct, there are two More important things, the first is the need to defragment frequently your computer, and you can set your computer to defragment regularly ... the second is after visiting many sites is clean computer

both tasks are under.. program, accessories, system tools