CPU usage at 100% when 1st accessing Internet

[Dogdaysdude]

Hi, all. When I try to access the internet through either Firefox or IE, the browser will open and then it takes a minute or more to actually access the home page. In Firefox, it's set for www.google.com. In IE, it's set for www.excite.com.
So, while waiting for a response, I try to open Windows Task Manager to see if the system is bogged down. There is some delay here, too. But when it does finally respond, sure enough, CPU usage is at 100% for a few more seconds, and then it declines to normal levels.
I am using Zone Alarm and also have a router.
What would cause such a delay? It happens no matter how long the computer has been turned on. And it happens only on the first try to access the Internet. It doesn't happen for email or newsgroup access.
Thanks.

[Rick]

Across the bottom of the browser window
You should see a status bar
Check it for messages.
Like looking up proxies or something on those lines

Have you tried to open task manager .
Then open the browser and see what the status is ( cpu usage )

[Dogdaysdude]

Neither browser nor Task Manager will open until the load is off the CPU.

[Sylvander]

Install Process Explorer (http://technet.microsoft.com/en-gb/sysinternals/bb896653.aspx), have it running and displaying before you run a web browser.
That should show you...
(a) The %CPU usage for "System Idle Process" [mine is typically 95%-100%].

(b) When you run the browser you would see that drop to zero and some process CPU usage increase.
It would be interesting to see which.
In my old slow system IEXPLORE.EXE CPU usage jumps to about 93% for a couple of seconds and then drops to zero.

[Variable]

Sounds normal. System Idle Process for CPU is available through task manager. It is the amount of unused and available. It is the opposite of all the other processes added together. Process Explorer may help you find the threaded application running inside IE. It is worth a shot.

Could be a bunch of browser add ons running or an application that triggers when you open the browser that piggy backs on IE. You can see if it is connecting to something by using TCPView. Opening IE may spawn a bunch of connections other than the connection to your home page...

Have you turned off any services trying to tweak your system?

[Dogdaysdude]

I downloaded Process Explorer, but haven't had the time to try it out yet. It happens with Firefox as well as IE.

As far as services are concerned, I have followed Black Viper's recommendations and haven't changed any since first installing XP some time ago.
Thanks.

[mjc]

Try clearing the cache in FF and Temp Internet files in IE...if your browser is attempting to update cached pages it can shoot the CPU usage up while doing so.

[Variable]

Looks to see if you turned off DNS Client

[Dogdaysdude]

Process Explorer shows 100% CPU usage by vsmon.exe, the Truevector Service for Zone Alarm as soon as I start either browser and it stays at 100% until I close the browser I have opened, then drops down to normal system idle levels.
I then re-opened the browser (I usually use Firefox) and everything is fine.
So, I'm not sure if there is a Zone Alarm setting I can change or just try another firewall. I am behind a router. Would it be ok to not use a software firewall?
Thanks for all help.

[Dogdaysdude]

DNS Client is on Auto; should it be disabled?

[Sylvander]

Below is a screen shot from my own "Process Explorer".

The peaks in %CPU usage are vsmon.exe periodically jumping to about 5% with Firefox [and a few other windows] running.

[mjc]

OK...since it is vsmon then it is definitely a ZA problem...has ZA been updated recently? If so, try reverting back or updating it again...uninstalling/reinstalling it may be worth a try, but I would probably just move to a different firewall (ZA has become a bit bloated). And yes, even behind a router a software firewall is still a good idea.

[Dogdaysdude]

Updating ZA seems to have fixed the problem.
Is there something less bloated that would be better?
Thanks again for all your help. :)

[Variable]

IMHO Windows firewall is all you need if you have a router and are computer savvy. Many routers now have firewall features besides NAT. If you have them, you can enable them. Better to do your firewall at the router. If you do not understand how your computer becomes infected with virii and malware, I would keep the software firewall and put up with the nonsense they cause and the resources they hog.