Suggest you download and test a different browser (I currently use 3 browsers, interchangeably and for select purposes) - that should tell us whether your remaining issues are mostly browser specific:

Firefox web browser | Faster, more secure, & customizable



Thereafter, you may want to follow the instructions given here:

IEBlog : Troubleshooting and Internet Explorer?s (No Add-ons) Mode


NOTE: I found a loading ActiveX component that still remained active even though I had uninstalled the application months ago - that is where the slowdowns can begin and more.

That worked a treat, it was the google toolbar and google toolbar helper that were slowing things down, but only when they were running together. Many thanks for the time you have given me and the help it is greatly appreciated!