[2005] Threading & Progress bar

I have a progressbar like control (Actually a spinning one, like in SQL Server 2005) and I have a function called GetDBLicenses. This function populates the listview. My problem is that there is incredible delay when I have even 20 or so rows. The server is a desktop sql server instance of SQL Server Express.

My real question is how can I first stop the delay (I think it's called threading). So I can have my progress bar actually play out smoothly instead of lagging the entire machine.

Thanks guys

Use a BackgroundWorker component. Perform your operation in its DoWork event handler. If you need to communicate with the UI then call the ReportProgress method and handle the ProgressChanged event.