We've seen a few reports to include minutes needing for a computer to become responsive again after log in. Anyway, just read today an update on a news item mentioned in the chat room. The causes name could be Conficker.

There has been an internationally concerted effort started as this worm does known and unknown things to include pulling malware. Better do a thorough check if you have unexplainable and sudden slowing and certainly make sure to have the defense software running. It's already infested millions of computers... possibly even the computer of a trusted friend who send you an email.

Some links to tools to remove the bugger are offered here: http://www.heise.de/english/newsticker/news/134694 This page links to the most popular providers like Symantec F-Secure and BitFinder.

One of the signs you have it is, that it prevents your browser to connect to the website of your AV provider. Late last year I checked and just used an alternate from F-Secure cleaning tool and nothing was found.

Normally WCG/BOINC should not eat higher level CPU time. The sciences run at the lowest possible level and really only use spare cycles subordinate to anything else on the system. Only the BOINC.exe core client and BOINC Manager run at normal priority and still should only use a fraction of the user available time. One exception. When your system is strapped for memory, disk swapping could be noticed for the larger projects. That runs at a higher priority.


cheers