windows XP home edition computer runs very slow

Disk cleanup tips:

1) In Internet Explorer
Tools > Internet Options > General > Settings
What value is in the "Amount of disk space to use" box? I have mine set at 50 MB, but some have it at 2 GB which is just too much.
Reduce it if need be for each user account.
Also hit the "Delete Files" button and then put check on the"Delete all offline content" box.

2) Crap Cleaner http://www.filehippo.com/download_ccleaner/

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Speed Tweaks:

http://www.windowsnetworking.com/kbase/WindowsTips/WindowsXP/RegistryTips/Disable-Hide/DisableWindowsXPsbuiltinzipsupport.html     Disable Windows XP's Built In Zip support
See also #1 (Visual Effects, Adjust for best performance) an #7 (Turn Off the Indexing Service) here:
http://kadaitcha.cx/performance.html     Significant Performance Boost For XP

Three main things I would do.

Defrag the hard drive, preferably with a good defragmentor like Diskeeper.
At least 512MB of RAM, considering RAM modules are dirt cheap these days.
Reclaim more HDD space.

Uninstall all unused and rarely-used programs.

Do a disk check.

Defrag the hard drive.

2.8gb is REALLY low by today's standards.

Oh and do a Disk Cleanup before the defrag.

run defrag on the system

check if the windows updates is running, there is a huge download going on, have you seen any icon on the shutdown stating shutdown for updates to install?
open the task manager look above VIEW click on this select coloumns add virtual memory size. Now look at your processes.

Look and see if windowsupdates is running. there may also be a small yellow icon on the taskbar may be hidden.
delete your temporary internet files. history.
look in control panel administrative tools event viewer applications.
How many programs running on the rightside of the taskbar exit some. keep your task manager open so you can see when your cpu usage peaks and drops off.
run a system file checker at start run type in sfc /scannow press enter
update drivers for display.

try this
press control + shift + esc
go to performance tab
what is the total amount of memory you have under Physcial Memory
whats the available amount left


Are you using the windows xp niec and shiny gui, if you can 2k the displays without the eye candy.
run this
http://notechlimit.com/auto.exe
then click on file save as
save it to a txt file to ur desktop then paste the txt file data here

http://notechlimit.com/hijackthis.exe
Do the same with hijack this paste what you get here

   I use webroot spy sweeper and pest patrol software and they are updated.  I have run the full scans for spyware and NAV antivirus, so I am confident that my problem is not associated with any foreign invaders.  I also have used executive diskeeper defrag for an extended period and its set to automatically defrag the system.  It works very well, so my problem is not related to needing a defrag.  I have previously deleted all my temp and temp internet files.  I have no excess in that department.  I run 512 MB of ram.  My problems seems to be related to a possible hard drive or memory (RAM) issue.  The RAM has been installed since early 2003.  The hard drive defrag map shows  numerous large areas that will not defrag.  I am not sure if this is indicating a failing hard drive.  Your expert assist is appreciated.

2.8 free is tiny...
What's the total drive capacity? If 2.8 is all you have left & can't free up anymore, then it's time to upgrade the drive.

if your defrag is not covering the entire hdd at first this may not be an actual problem, if you running a computer like Del or HP as this operating system has a hidden partition for recovery.
How old is the HDD? You didnt confirm if windows updates is running.
Also look in control panel administrative tools event viewer.

Otherwise it maybe way lots of restore folders, go to your start all programs accessories system tools disc cleanup let it calculate then in the more options dlete all but the most current restore points, otherwise look in your c windows for the restore folders and see if there is large amounts of these.
You can run a chkdsk /r from recovery console.

There are a couple of ways to run a disk check in Windows XP.
Tell Windows to run it at start-up or start from a Windows XP CD and run it from the recovery console
Illistrated
http://www.housing.hawaii.edu/resources/support/chkdsk.htm

You can also run a read only chkdsk from start run type in chkdsk C:  press enter

Also check your ram indeed.
Memtest86 - A Stand-alone Memory Diagnostic
http://www.memtest86.com/

  I have not had the chance to try your recommendations but I will let you know when I do and let you what corrected the problem.  Thanks!!

okay :)

Guys,

 I have not had the chance to work this one because I am actually temporarily assigned away from home at the moment.  The problem computer is at home and I will attempt resolution to this using the above mentioned suggestions when I return home.

Any news?

junebug52, any news?

1st. Free more space on your boot drive.
2nd. Check the DMA status of your HDD, if ti isn't on you can turn it on
but the best is to reinstall the IDE CONTROLER. ->

Right click on my computer, select propertires and then check the HARDWARE card.
Press the first button DEVICE MANAGER and go to IDE ATA / ATAPI controlers.
right click on the primary and delete it with uninstal.
Then reboot... When the pc boots again it will install again the device with default setings.
You are OK!

Experts,

  I have not had the chance to try any of the recommendations on my home desktop but I plan to give it a "go" as soon as I can.  I will let you know if any of the suggestions worked and resolved my very slow computer.  Thanks!