Strange start up!

Hi all.
I have this strange pattern start up.
It goes a bit like this,
Windows starts up and i launch task manager to view the processes.
To begin with i have 31 processes, after 15 secs it goes to 30
after 30 secs it goes to 32
after 1 minute it is at 36 or 37.
Then the Avast icon has a spin, processes go to 33 or 34 then all is well.
During this time the task bar is unusable.
Also my processor usage goes from 0-50 or 60%.
I have tried the CC cleaner and disk defrag route.
Do you think this could be due to mal/spyware?
Should i try to see the name of the processes that are starting and stopping and searching them on google?
Any advice appreciated.
Cheers

 

Thanks for the reply.
Just to let others know the culprit was KService.exe.
This is a P2P programme that is made by Kontiki.
It is used by Channel 4 (UK tv) to allow the download of their recent shows.
What it fails to tell you is that even if you have only ever watched one of their programmes, KService starts up with windows and continues to run in the background without asking (CLEAR) permission.
This, effectively, turns your pc into a server!
Surely a potential hack risk? As you have not gone to any lengths to protect yourself as you would if you were knowingly running a server.
I shall now go through the rest to see what other crap they have installed.
You can't trust a soul anymore!
Cheers