Click Lag/Delay When Browsing Web

I just bought a new HP Pavilion a1600n to replace a franken-computer I built a few years back. Yeah, I know... lazy! I'm to the point where I don't want to blow a day putting together a computer for the wife to use and for the kids to learn how to use a mouse.

Anyway, I bought the computer because browsing the web or launching applications on the old computer simply took forever. It was a dog but still have a gig 'o RAM and a 512 MB (ATI) video card and handled the games I like -- for the most part.

Anyway, the new computer is also lagging when browsing the web. The behavior is that when there is a page open and I see a link I want to access, I move the cursor over the link, click, and then nothing happens. Eventually after multiple (forceful) clicks -- like that makes a difference, the command will take and the browser goes to the desired location. WTF??

Here are details of the system:

Athalon 64 Dual Core 3800+, MMX, 3DNow
1 GB RAM
130 GB HDD
Wireless Network (MAC limited access)
DOCSIS Cable Connection
Nvidia GeForce 6150LE w/ 256MB RAM (Onboard Video)
WinXP Media Center Edition

Overall, the computer is great for everything I want to do except for this issue that is quite annoying.

I have a sneaking suspicion that it could be the McAfee Security Center but I cannot be sure...

I beseech the Geeks for help (as one type to another).

Cadillac

 

Well, it seems better out of the blue but still happens.

Thanks.