System problem - MAYBE OSX related...?

Question

I have no definitive answer or resolution thus far for this
problem in the forums and wanted to re-summarize it here, one more time, to see if anyone has
any other suggestions before i toss in the towel on self-repair efforts and invest in Apple Service.
Problem:
On a dual MDD G4 1.25, which i normally boot/use OS 9 on)
there is now a system 'hang time' of anywhere from 15-25 secs. in various circumstances including:
On boot-up, just after the Finder has loaded, I can move the mouse cursor but the Mac won't respond to clicks for up to 15-20 secs. Then, the "buffered clicks" get executed at once.
This hang time also occurs within certain applications, and on startup of IE Explorer there is an abnormal delay between the Open command and completion of startup cycle(opening to Home Page).
At first it appears a system freeze, but then ultimately system interactivity resumes eventually.
This machine is on a high-end Tripp-Lite power conditioner in a recording studio.
The problem seemed to begin after a day where i had multiple power fluctuations/outages requiring cold reboot several times.
I have swapped out both 512 Dimms and tried running with each separately and the problem remained.
TechTools has been run, OSX Permission Repairs run/re-run..
and i've done an OS 9-only "restore/reinstall" of that
System. I also ran a defragmentation off of techtools.
Memory 'tested' as okay.
My internal HD is a 160g, one partition.
Since the problem occurs within OS 9 and i did reinstall that system, i would tend to think that rules out the System.
I can't detect any similar problem under OSX!
Things tried that didn't resolve it:
Emptying Servers Folder in the System Folder. Desktop Rebuild, PRAM/NVRAM resets, VM Off, Extensions OFF restart, (no change), Startup Items Folder/Prefs Folder EMPTIED and restart; no change. All Devices (USB/Firewire & Cable Modem, Keyboard/Mouse) disconnected/Restart; no change.
MemTest run on Dimms; Reported as OK.
Is there any point in reinstalling Sys software given all
this, or any ideas on what else to try?
Thanks,
Mike

Answer 1

Ron, I did, (conflicting opinions about Norton notwithstanding) run a Volume/Directory test from NDD (it is
a cumbersome process given that Norton must be on a separate computer and the machine in question must be in target-firewire mode to "access" the OS 9 System Folder - since the Norton app will not startup on the MDD machine...
"Apparently," it was able to process a test and no errors
were reported after running it, or, Tech Tools, on that System Folder.
I appreciate the idea. Not sure if there's an easier way to 'get at' the folder off a Norton Utilities disk as long as it resides in the peculiar dual-boot environment which presents a variety of challenges for anyone seeking to run any type of OS 9 diagnostics from a non OSX-based startup disk... not to mention the screwy reinstall/restore configuration of this particular Apple incarnation's install disk "set."
To put it bluntly, Mac really went out of its way to discourage any OS 9 loyalists with their "last OS 9 machine"
--but i digress....
Thanks
Mike