XP Pro running unbelievably slow (XP Pro 2002 Service Pack 1)

[djmoore]

Pentium IV 2.4
1GB RAM
HDD 83 GB free
Running Norton Internet Security, NAV (auto update)

About 3 weeks ago I found that XP was taking forever to start up, and once it did everything else runs much slower. On the startup screen the little blue lights (the Cylon eye) would usually scan by @14 times - now it is taking 45 or more before that screen blanks out and I (eventually) get the logon screen.
Sometimes when I shut down XP (from the Start menu) the PC will reboot. This doesn't happen often but usually late at night when I'm tired and just want to go to bed (of course).
I've run Spybot S&D and eliminated any spyware; NAV is on auto-update (although that takes as long as 2 minutes to complete after I log in lately, and seems to run every day, whereas before it only seemed to run 1 or 2 times a week). I also ran (from the V-Com suite, but I still use Norton names) Disk Doctor and Speedisk, as well as their Registry defragger. None of this seems to have done any good.
Maybe I'm living in RAM ignorance, but I would think that 1GB of RAM would be enough to handle most system situations, so although I have checked out Blackviper's System Config page I don't think that is my main problem here. I'm at a complete loss as to what has slowed down my system so dramatically.

help!

[DocWatson]

Hi Don,

I'd try downloading Ad-Aware, installing, updating and then scanning the system. Often It finds things that Spybot misses. My <img src=/S/2cents.gif border=0 alt=2cents width=15 height=15>.

[Elaine]

Hi,
Here`s the best program to identify and clean up spyware etc.
Hijack This http://mjc1.com/mirror/hjt/
Make a special folder to download it to. Set it to "Scan" and then to create its "Log". This will be long, but copy all of it into Notepad and post it to be checked.

Elaine

[DocWatson]

Hi Elaine,

I agree that HijackThis is an excellent program and does an exceptional job identifying SOME types of spyware and adware, but not all. It is just one tool in the arsenel.

My hesitation in recommending it here has to do with my own experience with a browser hijacker and the HijackThis log I posted to SpywareInfo on June 7th and am still waiting for someone to even reply to my post. The logs are somewhat complicated and if you "fix" the wrong thing your system becomes a doorstop <img src=/S/frown.gif border=0 alt=frown width=15 height=15>. I was fortunate enough to have caught the "Hijack" as it happened and identified most of the trouble and was able to remove it myself. I was looking first for assistance in getting rid of the hijacker and then conformation that I had gotten all of it. I'm still waiting. I understand that their service is voluntary (like here in the Lounge <img src=/S/smile.gif border=0 alt=smile width=15 height=15>) and I'm not trying to be critical here. But I can't recommend something as hit-or-miss as that service seems to be. Based solely on my own experience. Opinions, of course, may vary. <img src=/S/yep.gif border=0 alt=yep width=15 height=15>

Again.......... just my <img src=/S/2cents.gif border=0 alt=2cents width=15 height=15>

[JoeP517]

Start task manager, click on the processes tab and see what is consuming your PC.

Joe