Characters do not appear on screen when tyhping

About once an hour or so, after a brfief pause when I am considering what to type next, nothing happens when I click a key, or attempt to move the pointer. After 5-10 seconds, whatever I had clicked or done then happens.
This is a very mild nuisance in terms of wasted time.
It is much more worrisome if it means there is some sort of malware inside.
I have Windows XP plus SP 1 and 2, on a Dell Dimension, and I use Spybot, Spy Sweeper, Adaware and Norton virus screen 2-4 times a month.
Comments?

 

ALK--Look here
http://www.softwaretipsandtricks.com/forum/windows-xp/35-typing-delay-xp.html
or if that does not help, then http://www.google.com/search?source...G,GGLG:2006-37,GGLG:en&q=WinXP+typing+delayed

 

Control Panel, Power Options.

Try configuring for always on for all options and test.
It is possible you are shutting down hard drives and the pause is due to the re-activation period that begins when you start typing.

 

characters

Thank you for your courtesy. Have followed your suggestions and we'll see what happens. ALK