hello all.

ive just installed ubuntu 6.06 32-bit on my main desktop:
amd athlon64 3000+ (i installed 32-bit because more programs like it)
asus a8n-sli deluxe
nvidia geforce 6600ls 256mb
2 gb pc3200ddr ram
dvd +- r/w
etc etc

you get the idea, this is not a "slow" system at all.
but some apps are taking forever to load.
firefox loads the second i execute it, but picasa and skype take about 30 seconds to start, and penguin racer just straight up wont start at all

is there something that is known to cause a huge slowdown in ubuntu dapper?

thanks in advance.

Just a wild guess here: picasa and skype might be experiencing some kind of timeout issue. While those programs are taking their time to load, does the rest of your system slow down with them? Can other programs load normally while those programs are stuck?