slow computer

[deacon50]

If my computer gets any slower I'll be able to take a nap between key strokes. For an example, I was able to type most of that first sentence before any of it showed on the screen. I've run my virus checker several times, and I don't seem to have a virus, but is it possible that I've got so much spy ware on my computer that it is bogging it down? If this could be true, can anything done about it? Or is there something else that I can do to speed things up? I'm running XP Home, on a P 4 Gateway. with 128 memory.

[peterm69]

If my computer gets any slower I'll be able to take a nap between key strokes. For an example, I was able to type most of that first sentence before any of it showed on the screen. I've run my virus checker several times, and I don't seem to have a virus, but is it possible that I've got so much spy ware on my computer that it is bogging it down? If this could be true, can anything done about it? Or is there something else that I can do to speed things up? I'm running XP Home, on a P 4 Gateway. with 128 memory.

If what you mean by "128 memory" you mean 128 meg RAM then you probably need more, i heard of other computers slowing down over time with Windows XP home and most of the causes were to do with lack of RAM.
I know your system meets the min requirements.
You could also try here http://www.pcpitstop.com/ and run thier full tests.

[renegade600]

Run adaware and/or spybot. You can get either free from
http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/browse/0,cat,1443,sortIdx,1,00.asp

After running them, go to http://www.tomcoyote.org/hjt/ download and run hijackthis then post the log it creates here and someone will go over it for you.

[Baser-X]

Definately need more RAM. It has been said that XP Home will run fine with 128MB RAM, but I say BS. Even with 256MB it leaves a lot to be desired. I've got 384MB PC2700 DDR in the kid's computer and it could still use more.

Besides the RAM you may also want to clean out cache and temp folders, or at least run the desktop cleanup wizard which will take care of most of this for you.

And of, course do what renegade said so you can get rid of any spy/malware that is wasting your resources.