W500, Windows XP, SLOW / Poor Performance

[CP-Mike]

System:
Thinkpad W500, model 4061-B13, Core 2 Duo T9400 @ 2.53Ghz, 2GB ram
Windows XP Pro (v2002) w/ SP3 (latest patches via update)
PC Dr v 5.1.5189.05
BIOS 3.09 (6FET79WW) 10/2/09
Noteworthy BIOS settings:
"SATA" = AHCI (compatible at first until drivers installed)
Extended Mem test = Enabled
CPU Core MP = Enabled
Intel Virt Tech = Enabled
Intel VT-d Feat = Enabled
Intel AMT Control = Enabled
Intel SpeedStep = Enabled
Mode for AC = Max Perf (issue encountered on and off AC)
CPU Pwr Mgmnt = Disabled

Software in use: MS Office Pro 2007, Eudora, IE and Firefox, Thunderbird, MS Visio, SecureCRT, PuTTY, other misc low impact applications. Nothing running in background like simulation tools, etc.

Complaint:
System runs worse than my previous T60p with the same basic software setup. Seems to "stall" if anything is accessing the HDD. At times it runs reasonably fast, other random times it just drags. Programs, not always the same one, will go into "not responding" at the top. If you are patient, they always come back. No BSODs. It works, just often painfully slow. Often times the CPU is NOT pegged and it's hard to tell which process is really hammering the system as it comes and goes. This happens on or off the dock and on or off AC power. (I have been racking my brain looking for a common thread.)

Some things I have tried so far..
#1 - When the system was 1st received I installed from a full retail copy of Windows XP, patched it all the way to SP3, lots of Thinkpad drivers to install.. took freaking forever it seemed with many many reboots (thanks MS).. For a while I was pretty convinced it was the AV software (McAfee 8.7 per my company specs).. I removed it and it seemed to get better, but instead of being slow 98% of the time it dropped back to maybe 50% random painfully slow moments. Ran Defrag tools (both Windows and aftermarket). Also had a registry mechanic tool look for issues.

#2 - I gave up on my own install and used the recovery CDs I ordered directly from IBM/Lenovo (Full XP OS and full TP Apps). It also was running pretty poorly so I took off the AV application and it got a little better, but still more random slowness. Again ran Defrag tools (both Windows and aftermarket).

#3 - Ran the full system scan in PC Doctor (accessed via Thinkpad button during bootup). All tests passed.

General Notes:
I have been working (build/repair/etc) on PCs since '86 and I am finally starting to lose my cool on this stuff. I thought I had seen it all and just assume that every 2-3 years when I upgrade Laptops for work it's going to take a couple of days to get it perfect and then I am good for 2-3 more years. All of my updating/downloading work has been done from an isolated network behind a firewall so I *should* be safe from attacks which are constant if directly connected to a cable modem or DSL line.

This time, I am honestly ready to just give up and move to an iBook, which is HUGE since I am the last person I would expect to hear that from. I am soooo okay if I missed something and made a mistake, I just want it fixed. I've done the format-reload game now and approached it from at least two different angles. Any help you good people can offer is greatly appreciated. I hate to give up, but I'm close.

Thanks in advance and happy New Year!

OH, and if you have a good recommendation on a LOW IMPACT Anti-Virus / Anti-SpyWare applications, please let me know. Thanks!

Mike

[ZaZ]

Seems to "stall" if anything is accessing the HDD.

Have you tried another drive?

[schmidtj]

Having been thoroughly disgusted with the load Mcafee and Symantec AV puts on my machines I've settled in with Trend Micro Internet Security (non Pro) and am pretty much delighted with it.
Frequent updates, doesn't bog down the system, hasn't interfered with any program installs, blah blah.
Inexpensive. As in < $15 total for 3 PC's if you download it from an eTailer and forgo the boxed versions.
YMMV

[CP-Mike]

Have you tried another drive?

I am not really in position to do that.

Not a bad suggestion, but would hope that the BIOS based HDD testing would catch serious errors.

[CP-Mike]

Having been thoroughly disgusted with the load Mcafee and Symantec AV puts on my machines I've settled in with Trend Micro Internet Security (non Pro) and am pretty much delighted with it.
Frequent updates, doesn't bog down the system, hasn't interfered with any program installs, blah blah.
Inexpensive. As in < $15 total for 3 PC's if you download it from an eTailer and forgo the boxed versions.
YMMV

Thanks for the idea/feedback !!

[ZaZ]

Call support and ask for a new drive.

[Proteus]

Modern systems work better when not hampered by 8 year old operating systems.
Put Windows 7 x64, and Microsoft AV on it (the only one that doesn't slow your system down), and you'll be happy!