LR3.3 Slows Computer...even after closing

Question

I know there have been a lot of threads about LR3 slowing computers, but none seem to address my specific issue so I thought I would post.
Here's the deal...when performing a JPEG export my entire system slows down. Web pages load slowly, the mouse jumps around, etc. It essentially makes my computer unusable while the export is happening (which is really unfortunate considering how long it takes to do JPEG exports...and yes...I am aware of doing batch exports to speed things up). But what's even more odd is that once the export is done and Lightroom is closed, my computer is just as slow. I have to restart my system after a JPEG export in order to get it moving at proper speed again.
A few more details: LR3 works great the rest of the time (up until I start the export). No delays, no sluggishness. No other program causes a problem like I am experiencing...only LR3.
System Specs:
Lightroom version: 3.3 [711369]
Operating system: Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (Build 6002)
Version: 6.0 [6002]
Application architecture: x64
System architecture: x64
Physical processor count: 8
Processor speed: 2.6 GHz
Built-in memory: 8182.2 MB
Real memory available to Lightroom: 8182.2 MB
Real memory used by Lightroom: 158.4 MB (1.9%)
Virtual memory used by Lightroom: 171.0 MB
Memory cache size: 105.4 MB
System DPI setting: 96 DPI
Desktop composition enabled: Yes
Displays: 1) 1680x1050, 2) 1680x1050
Application folder: C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3.3
Library Path: G:\Agape Sync\Seniors\Tanner Russ\Book\Lightroom\Lightroom.lrcat
Settings Folder: C:\Users\John\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Lightroom
I have a second system that is identical in every way that is experiencing the EXACT same issue with LR3.
Any thoughts as to what might be causing this issue or how to resolve it?
Thanks in advance for your help!
John

Answer 1

You don't have to disable your Anti-Virus, just go in and exclude the LR catalog folder, and, if you're comfortable doing it, your image file folders, from the Real-Time protection.  That won't solve it but it will cut down some overhead.
Another part of the disk activity going on after you shut down LR is due to Windows search indexer.  Go to the properties of the folder where you have the LR catalog and turn indexing off.  If you don't need it, also turn indexing off on the image file folders you are doing any big exports to.
I found that helps a bit on my Vista 64bit system.
Beyond that, the suggestion re. Task manager is also a good one, but if you want to dig into this in more detail, download Procmon.exe (Process Monitor) from Microsoft.  It will show you every file and process that is in use.
Sorry, I don't have any equivalent suggestions for the MAC folks.
Paul Wasserman