DPCs/Hardware Interrupts Slowing Performance

[carends]

Hello!

I've had my ThinkPad for about a year, but only recently have I suffered a succession of hardware interrupt & DPC spikes. These consume about 50% - 90% of my CPU, which, as you might imagine, slow down my computing considerably.

I've noticed that when I flick off my wireless connection, the spikes disappear immediately, and never trouble me until I enable my wireless card.

My ThinkPad uses the Atheros 11a/b/g wireless LAN mini PCI Express Adapter. I know this subject has been broached before, and I've dutifully read the old posts, but none of the solutions contained therein seem to apply to my situation.

I'd be grateful for any help!

-Caitlin