Originally I thought I had a malware problem, so I posted there. After a week of very helpful guidance from RKinner, he said that I did not have a malware problem and should post on this forum.
My problem is that the System Process takes up 50% or so (usually a bit less) of my processing power. When I use Process Explorer I learn that the USBPORT.SYS thread is the culprit. I can suspend the thread with seemingly no loss of functionality of the usb hub that I use for the printer and other devices (although usually only the printer is plugged in).
I run a Presario SR1936X with 3 gig Pentium 4, 2 gig memory, and run Windows XP Media Center edition SP3. I got it in mid 2006.
Many months ago the USB ports slowly stopped working one by one. I finally had to get a USB card in order to be able to use the printer. Also the two times I tried to use the media card reader it didn't work either. I'm not asking that GTG help me with the USB ports or the media card reader. I'm OK with those problems. I am simply including this information in case it might be helpful.
Many thanks in advance for help on this matter.
Oh, and when I get this problem fixed I would also like some help with my start up time. I need to figure out what to boot at startup and what I don't need.