Gurney - Thank You for the information.

I will cogitate awhile - and probably a half-dozen other MC's will too.

If I understand this correctly:
The problem became problematic when the new software (Nero Clone) was installed - and continued after it was removed.

Thanks for returning to the thread.

Guerny - you obviously are comfortable and know your way around your machine - that is GOOD.

I was going to quickly jump to my first suspect - and you confirmed...trouble noticed opening (opening only,

not using

) certain web programs however I had to quickly take that back...the problem with the newer "cloud reapers" is in using...not in booting....and Zone Alarm is a good program to view what is being accessed (I use ZA "Engage Internet Lock" to shut off web connections to Mudcat after a few seconds on each page because Google Ads and DoubleClick are too slow gleaning information and feeding it back to my machine.)

Your RAM is low - the "Nero Burning" substitute is going to be using your HD as a buffer for cache for files. You might consider "Crap Cleaner aka CC" to dump all the cookie crumbs that pile up. This place will show you some of the biggest offenders - but Google takes several more extra steps...but that is probably NOT the problem.

RESTORE - is good.

Scan and Defrag before using a burning device is always good and you did that.

If you simultaneously hold down Control, AND Alt, AND Delete - what does your machine indicate for programs operating in the background (hidden from your desktop?)

In removing programs (such as the offending one) sometimes the default remover also "yanks out by the roots" dll's needed for other programs...however, that does not appear to be an issue. Your other programs work...but your machine is bogged down...and acting overloaded and sluggish. Do you have an idea of what percent of the CPU is being used?

Using the Control/Alt/Del....shut off the Anti Virus and see how it runs....give it a couple minutes to clear. in fact...if that does not help...restart without the anti-virus running....you will be safe since you have already run itand the machine is clean. You might want to try another on-line viral check with a different vender recognizing that their scan will identify "problems" that are not problems in the configuration of your existing virus program.

A trusted mirror is always a good friend - so you also appear clear there.

Using "FIND" and files by "DATE" review the day before and the day after the installation for files "CREATED" as see if anything sparks a light. Do the same for the last 24 hours observe anyfiles that are being created and modified (beyond the obvious cache etc)

WHY did you "jumper down" the 40G 20% to 32G (I know why I never FILL more than 50% but what is yours to jumper down?)

These things are like puzzels. Fun and frustrating. Never rip out things before you know what they are connect to.

GOOD LUCK...I hope some others log in.

Sincerely,
Gargoyle