Super slow launch pad

For the last couple of days it's taken launch pad a good 2-3 minutes to go from "checking files" to actually checking the first file (i.e. it sits at 0 files checked for 2-3 minutes). I never had this problem in the past.

The problem is especially annoying since I still have random client crashes on some raids and taking 2-4 minutes to get back into the game (waiting for a file check that was done sometime in the last 1-2 hours in any case) is ridiculous.

So, questions:

1) was the patcher ninja-patched so it interacts with windows differently now (running Windows 7, I always run EQ as an admin); and

2) why do we still need a fresh file check EVERY TIME we start EQ, no matter how recently a file check was run?

Does the slow check/patch happen immediately after rebooting the computer? For the other times, has the computer been on for awhile but not being used?

Have you rebooted the computer, modem and router/gateway (turned off for a few minutes then back on)?

Reset Internet Explorer settings (Launchpad uses IE hooks to perform its work).

Other items to consider, what type of connection is being used? Is any of it wireless? Is it secured? Is anything else being downloaded, on the same or different computers?

Has EQ been excluded from active scanning by antivirus program? Have the firewalls been setup to allow EQ through (cuts down on the scanning of EQ data incoming).

dxdiag (from top to just below the sound card entries), brand/model of modem/router/gateway and ISP.

For SOE tech assist, please submit a ticket.