I just built a new computer w/ 4 mgs of ram, 2.67 ghz duo cpu, 6 hard drives. all over 300 mgs of memory. the main 'c' drive is 500mgs of memory all HDs are SATA.  'C' drive was brand new and freash copy of XP2nd editon. graphics card is a g-froce 6600

Problem: computer runs fine until you ask it to do mutlipy tasks or the same task over and over again..ie..opening different photos, or running different movies, then the thing starts to slow down so much that the movies skip, they will stop then go forward then stop...

I thought the duo core was billed as being faster, yet I feel I took a step backwards..

Can anyone please HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!

   I have experienced similar problems with Internet Explorer 7.

I had this problem but I also got rid of it by going back to Internet Explorer 6.0 too,

Another route to take is to look at what programs are loaded at bootup. You can use msconfig to see what is running. Some of the processes may be unnecessary.
I have used an article in the PC Magazine files that lists the services that can be turned off. You can turn them off in the services applet in the control panel. If you are not sure, you can set them to 'manual' in case a program you are using needs them.

You may have to modify your startup. Ray's SpeedStartup has been very helpful to me in this respect. A new machine often comes loaded with applications, e.g., trial copies of MS Office, an antivirus, various games. May of these have a startup program in the boot lineup.