Thanks so much to both you and Kenneth. I appreciate your help.
Here's what I've done:
1) defrag runs once a week, on Sunday nights, when Windows Live OneCare does
its weekly scan and tune-up and downloads updates from Microsoft. I checked
anyway and was told the hard drive didn't need defrag at this time, so I
didn't.
       Note: I didn't know OneCare was no longer being made, so I'll have to
do something about that. I'll need a new antivirus program, but I'm
wondering what else OneCare does that I'll need to replace.
2) I downloaded and ran Malwarebyte's Anti-Malware and it did a full scan of
C: drive. Took almost 2 hours and found and removed 342 'somethings'.
3) Then I downloaded and ran Ccleaner and it removed 397.6 MB of more
'stuff'. I also used it to remove some program and program fragments that I
could identify as not being needed. It offered to fix some missing dlls at
the registry level (?) but I was intimidated by that so decided not to. I
have the impression that if the registry gets messed up you can be in big
trouble, and I don't like trouble. :-) What do you think? Also the missing
dlls seemed to be related to either Google Earth or Netscape, and I don't
use either- guess I should just remove them?

I'm up to 61 free GB and 164 used, so 16 more GB are free than were
yesterday. I guess I'm heading in the right direction, but wondering how
best to free up more.
4) Below is the Hijack log.
5) DS isn't around today so we haven't done the MSCONFIG thing yet. 

All feedback, advice and information are more than welcome.
Cynthia


 
Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 7:56:07 PM, on 1/20/2010
Platform: Windows XP SP3 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v8.00 (8.00.6001.18702)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\Ati2evxx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Windows OneCare Live\Antivirus\MsMpEng.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device
Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
C:\WINDOWS\eHome\ehRecvr.exe
C:\WINDOWS\eHome\ehSched.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lxdxcoms.exe
C:\Program Files\MozyHome\mozybackup.exe
C:\Program Files\Usefull files\Google\Google Earth\Nero 8\Nero
BackItUp\NBService.exe
C:\Program Files\Maxtor\OneTouch\Utils\SyncServices.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Windows OneCare Live\OcHealthMon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\IoctlSvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\HPZipm12.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\PnkBstrA.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\PnkBstrB.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\RETROS~1\RETROS~1.1\retrorun.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\snmp.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sony Shared\WMPlugIn\SonicStageMonitoring.exe
C:\Program Files\Sony\Sony TV Tuner Library\SMceMan.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\CCPD-LC\symlcsvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Media Integrated Server\VMISrv.exe
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Media Integrated Server\Video\GPVSvr.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sony Shared\VAIO Entertainment
Platform\VCSW\VCSW.exe
c:\WINDOWS\system32\ZuneBusEnum.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Windows OneCare Live\Firewall\msfwsvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Media Integrated Server\Platform\SV_Httpd.exe
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Media Integrated Server\Platform\SV_Httpd.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sony Shared\VAIO Entertainment
Platform\VzCdb\VzCdbSvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Windows OneCare Live\winss.exe
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Media Integrated
Server\Platform\UPnPFramework.exe
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Media Integrated
Server\Platform\UPnPFramework.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sony Shared\VAIO Entertainment
Platform\VzCdb\VzFw.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\dllhost.exe
C:\Program Files\Sony\Sony TV Tuner Library\RM_SV.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Windows OneCare Live\winssnotify.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\Ati2evxx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuauclt.exe
C:\WINDOWS\ehome\ehtray.exe
C:\Program Files\Canon\Canon IJ Network Scan Utility\CNMNSUT.EXE
C:\Program Files\Lexmark 3600-4600 Series\lxdxmon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\eHome\ehmsas.exe
C:\Program Files\Lexmark 3600-4600 Series\lxdxMsdMon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft ActiveSync\wcescomm.exe
C:\Program Files\Palm\Hotsync.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\MI3AA1~1\rapimgr.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\OUTLOOK.EXE
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\WINWORD.EXE
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page =
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL =
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL =
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page =
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page =
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = 
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch = 
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet
Settings,ProxyServer = :0
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet
Settings,ProxyOverride = *.local
R3 - URLSearchHook: Yahoo! Toolbar - {EF99BD32-C1FB-11D2-892F-0090271D4F88}
- C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Companion\Installs\cpn1\yt.dll
N3 - Netscape 7: user_pref("browser.startup.homepage",
"http://www.google.com"); (C:\Documents and Settings\CYNTHIA\Application
Data\Mozilla\Profiles\default\mfku7tlz.slt\prefs.js)
N3 - Netscape 7: user_pref("browser.search.defaultengine",
"engine://C%3A%5CProgram%20Files%5CNetscape%5CNetscape%5Csearchplugins%5CSBW
eb_01.src"); (C:\Documents and Settings\CYNTHIA\Application
Data\Mozilla\Profiles\default\mfku7tlz.slt\prefs.js)
O2 - BHO: &Yahoo! Toolbar Helper - {02478D38-C3F9-4efb-9B51-7695ECA05670} -
C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Companion\Installs\cpn1\yt.dll
O2 - BHO: Adobe PDF Reader Link Helper -
{06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Common
Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: Lexmark Toolbar - {1017A80C-6F09-4548-A84D-EDD6AC9525F0} -
C:\Program Files\Lexmark Toolbar\toolband.dll
O2 - BHO: SSVHelper Class - {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} -
C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_02\bin\ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Helper - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} -
C:\Program Files\Google\Google Toolbar\GoogleToolbar.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Notifier BHO -
{AF69DE43-7D58-4638-B6FA-CE66B5AD205D} - C:\Program
Files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\5.1.1309.3572\swg.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Dictionary Compression sdch -
{C84D72FE-E17D-4195-BB24-76C02E2E7C4E} - C:\Program Files\Google\Google
Toolbar\Component\fastsearch_A8904FB862BD9564.dll
O2 - BHO: Merriam-Webster Unabridged BHO -
{DFB0A387-2DC3-4402-8BC8-1C8C05FAE6EB} - C:\WINDOWS\_MWUTB.0.DLL
O3 - Toolbar: Merriam-Webster Unabridged -
{D0711285-ABC9-4DFA-81BF-89E6B5A9E0EF} - C:\WINDOWS\_MWUTB.0.DLL
O3 - Toolbar: Yahoo! Toolbar - {EF99BD32-C1FB-11D2-892F-0090271D4F88} -
C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Companion\Installs\cpn1\yt.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Veoh Web Player Video Finder -
{0FBB9689-D3D7-4f7a-A2E2-585B10099BFC} - C:\Program Files\Veoh
Networks\VeohWebPlayer\VeohIEToolbar.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Google Toolbar - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} -
C:\Program Files\Google\Google Toolbar\GoogleToolbar.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Lexmark Toolbar - {1017A80C-6F09-4548-A84D-EDD6AC9525F0} -
C:\Program Files\Lexmark Toolbar\toolband.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [test] D:\Setup.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ehTray] C:\WINDOWS\ehome\ehtray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [OneCareUI] "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Windows OneCare
Live\winssnotify.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IJNetworkScanUtility] C:\Program Files\Canon\Canon IJ
Network Scan Utility\CNMNSUT.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [lxdxmon.exe] "C:\Program Files\Lexmark 3600-4600
Series\lxdxmon.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [lxdxamon] "C:\Program Files\Lexmark 3600-4600
Series\lxdxamon.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [FaxCenterServer] "C:\Program Files\Lexmark Fax
Solutions\fm3032.exe" /s
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [H/PC Connection Agent] "C:\Program Files\Microsoft
ActiveSync\wcescomm.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\RunOnce: [] C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
http://www.symantec.com/techsupp/servlet/ProductMessages?module=2007&error=0
&language=en&product=SymNRT&version=2008.0.1.19&build=Symantec&a=00000082.00
000001.00000001&b=00000082.00000010.00000020&c=00000082.00000010.0000002f
O4 - Startup: HotSync Manager.LNK = C:\Program Files\Palm\Hotsync.exe
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} -
C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_02\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console -
{08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program
Files\Java\jre1.6.0_02\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra button: Create Mobile Favorite -
{2EAF5BB1-070F-11D3-9307-00C04FAE2D4F} - C:\PROGRA~1\MI3AA1~1\INetRepl.dll
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {2EAF5BB2-070F-11D3-9307-00C04FAE2D4F} -
C:\PROGRA~1\MI3AA1~1\INetRepl.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Create Mobile Favorite... -
{2EAF5BB2-070F-11D3-9307-00C04FAE2D4F} - C:\PROGRA~1\MI3AA1~1\INetRepl.dll
O9 - Extra button: ComcastHSI - {669B269B-0D4E-41FB-A3D8-FD67CA94F646} -
http://www.comcast.net/ (file missing)
O9 - Extra button: Support - {8828075D-D097-4055-AA02-2DBFA9D85E8A} -
http://www.comcastsupport.com/ (file missing)
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} -
C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~3\OFFICE11\REFIEBAR.DLL
O9 - Extra button: Help - {97809617-3937-4F84-B335-9BB05EF1A8D4} -
http://online.comcast.net/help/ (file missing)
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} -
C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @xpsp3res.dll,-20001 -
{e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network
Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} -
C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger -
{FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program
Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra button: PDFill PDF Editor -
{FB858B22-55E2-413f-87F5-30ADC5552151} - C:\Program
Files\PlotSoft\PDFill\DownloadPDF.exe
O14 - IERESET.INF: START_PAGE_URL=http://www.sony.com/vaiopeople
O16 - DPF: {0742B9EF-8C83-41CA-BFBA-830A59E23533} (Microsoft Data Collection
Control) - https://help.live.com/ContactUs/ActiveX/MSDcode.cab
O16 - DPF: {18B35742-FEF5-4DE3-8928-8CAA34C1FEEA} (Merriam-Webster
Unabridged Toolbar) -
http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/toolbar/install/webinstall.cab
O16 - DPF: {215B8138-A3CF-44C5-803F-8226143CFC0A} (Trend Micro ActiveX Scan
Agent 6.5) -
http://housecall65.trendmicro.com/housecall/applet/html/native/x86/win32/act
ivex/hcImpl.cab
O16 - DPF: {2BC66F54-93A8-11D3-BEB6-00105AA9B6AE} (Symantec AntiVirus
scanner) -
http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/SharedContent/vc/bin/AvSniff.cab
O16 - DPF: {49232000-16E4-426C-A231-62846947304B} -
http://ipgweb.cce.hp.com/rdqna/downloads/sysinfo.cab
O16 - DPF: {5F8469B4-B055-49DD-83F7-62B522420ECC} (Facebook Photo Uploader
Control) - http://upload.facebook.com/controls/FacebookPhotoUploader.cab
O16 - DPF: {644E432F-49D3-41A1-8DD5-E099162EEEC5} (Symantec RuFSI Utility
Class) -
http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/SharedContent/common/bin/cabsa.cab
O16 - DPF: {6E32070A-766D-4EE6-879C-DC1FA91D2FC3} (MUWebControl Class) -
http://www.update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/v6/V5Controls/en/x86/client/
muweb_site.cab?1183125152843
O16 - DPF: {745395C8-D0E1-4227-8586-624CA9A10A8D} -
http://webcam.atomicmods.com//activex/AMC.cab
O18 - Filter: x-sdch - {B1759355-3EEC-4C1E-B0F1-B719FE26E377} - C:\Program
Files\Google\Google Toolbar\Component\fastsearch_A8904FB862BD9564.dll
O23 - Service: Apple Mobile Device - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common
Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
O23 - Service: Ati HotKey Poller - ATI Technologies Inc. -
C:\WINDOWS\system32\Ati2evxx.exe
O23 - Service: Bonjour Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program
Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
O23 - Service: Google Software Updater (gusvc) - Google - C:\Program
Files\Google\Common\Google Updater\GoogleUpdaterService.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision
Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\1050\Intel
32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: iPod Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program
Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: lxdxCATSCustConnectService - Lexmark International, Inc. -
C:\WINDOWS\System32\spool\DRIVERS\W32X86\3\\lxdxserv.exe
O23 - Service: lxdx_device -   - C:\WINDOWS\system32\lxdxcoms.exe
O23 - Service: MozyHome Backup Service (mozybackup) - Unknown owner -
C:\Program Files\MozyHome\mozybackup.exe
O23 - Service: MSCSPTISRV - Sony Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common
Files\Sony Shared\AVLib\MSCSPTISRV.exe
O23 - Service: My Web Search Service (MyWebSearchService) - Unknown owner -
C:\PROGRA~1\MYWEBS~2\bar\1.bin\mwssvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Nero BackItUp Scheduler 3 - Nero AG - C:\Program
Files\Usefull files\Google\Google Earth\Nero 8\Nero BackItUp\NBService.exe
O23 - Service: MaxSyncService (NTService1) -   - C:\Program
Files\Maxtor\OneTouch\Utils\SyncServices.exe
O23 - Service: PACSPTISVR - Sony Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common
Files\Sony Shared\AVLib\PACSPTISVR.exe
O23 - Service: PLFlash DeviceIoControl Service - Prolific Technology Inc. -
C:\WINDOWS\system32\IoctlSvc.exe
O23 - Service: Pml Driver HPZ12 - HP - C:\WINDOWS\system32\HPZipm12.exe
O23 - Service: PnkBstrA - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\PnkBstrA.exe
O23 - Service: PnkBstrB - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\PnkBstrB.exe
O23 - Service: Retrospect Express HD Helper (RetroExp Helper) - EMC Dantz -
C:\PROGRA~1\RETROS~1\RETROS~1.1\rthlpsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Retrospect Express HD Launcher (RetroExpLauncher) - EMC Dantz
- C:\PROGRA~1\RETROS~1\RETROS~1.1\retrorun.exe
O23 - Service: SonicStageMonitoring - Sony Corporation - C:\Program
Files\Common Files\Sony Shared\WMPlugIn\SonicStageMonitoring.exe
O23 - Service: Sony TV Tuner Controller - Sony Corporation - C:\Program
Files\Sony\Sony TV Tuner Library\halsv.exe
O23 - Service: Sony TV Tuner Manager - Sony Corporation - C:\Program
Files\Sony\Sony TV Tuner Library\RM_SV.exe
O23 - Service: Sony TVTA Manager - Sony Corporation - C:\Program
Files\Sony\Sony TV Tuner Library\SMceMan.exe
O23 - Service: Sony SPTI Service (SPTISRV) - Sony Corporation - C:\Program
Files\Common Files\Sony Shared\AVLib\SPTISRV.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Core LC - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program
Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\CCPD-LC\symlcsvc.exe
O23 - Service: VAIO Entertainment TV Device Arbitration Service - Sony
Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sony Shared\VAIO Entertainment
Platform\VzCs\VzHardwareResourceManager\VzHardwareResourceManager.exe
O23 - Service: VAIO Media Integrated Server
(VAIOMediaPlatform-IntegratedServer-AppServer) - Sony Corporation -
C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Media Integrated Server\VMISrv.exe
O23 - Service: VAIO Media Integrated Server (HTTP)
(VAIOMediaPlatform-IntegratedServer-HTTP) - Sony Corporation - C:\Program
Files\Sony\VAIO Media Integrated Server\Platform\SV_Httpd.exe
O23 - Service: VAIO Media Integrated Server (UPnP)
(VAIOMediaPlatform-IntegratedServer-UPnP) - Sony Corporation - C:\Program
Files\Sony\VAIO Media Integrated Server\Platform\UPnPFramework.exe
O23 - Service: VAIO Media Gateway Server (VAIOMediaPlatform-Mobile-Gateway)
- Sony Corporation - C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Media Integrated
Server\Platform\VmGateway.exe
O23 - Service: VAIO Media Video Server
(VAIOMediaPlatform-VideoServer-AppServer) - Sony Corporation - C:\Program
Files\Sony\VAIO Media Integrated Server\Video\GPVSvr.exe
O23 - Service: VAIO Media Video Server (HTTP)
(VAIOMediaPlatform-VideoServer-HTTP) - Sony Corporation - C:\Program
Files\Sony\VAIO Media Integrated Server\Platform\SV_Httpd.exe
O23 - Service: VAIO Media Video Server (UPnP)
(VAIOMediaPlatform-VideoServer-UPnP) - Sony Corporation - C:\Program
Files\Sony\VAIO Media Integrated Server\Platform\UPnPFramework.exe
O23 - Service: VAIO Entertainment UPnP Client Adapter (Vcsw) - Sony
Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sony Shared\VAIO Entertainment
Platform\VCSW\VCSW.exe
O23 - Service: VAIO Entertainment Database Service (VzCdbSvc) - Sony
Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sony Shared\VAIO Entertainment
Platform\VzCdb\VzCdbSvc.exe
O23 - Service: VAIO Entertainment File Import Service (VzFw) - Sony
Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sony Shared\VAIO Entertainment
Platform\VzCdb\VzFw.exe

--
End of file - 15706 bytes

-----Original Message-----
From: Personal Computer Hardware discussion List
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of [log in to unmask]
Sent: Wednesday, January 20, 2010 12:56 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [PCBUILD] novice level questions re upgrading 5 year old vaio
desktop

Slowness usually has more to do with maintenance than the need for an
upgrade. You may have accumulated problems over time that can be
corrected, but there's no easy fix.
There are some ideas here that will help:
http://www.ehow.com/way_5283570_troubleshooting-windows-xp-slow-performance.
html
Defragmentation will probably help, and a spyware scan is probably in
order. Use Malawarebyte's software and delete anything it recommends
http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php
Ccleaner will help with cleaning up unnecessary files:
http://www.ccleaner.com/
If you post a Hijack log, we can probably identify unnecessary programs
and services:
http://download.cnet.com/Trend-Micro-HijackThis/3000-8022_4-10227353.html
Your HD is getting fairly full and that's not helping. Ccleaner will
help, but you may want to look into removing programs and files you
don't need or use.



-------- Original Message --------
Subject: [PCBUILD] novice level questions re upgrading 5 year old vaio
desktop
From: Cynthia Kammann <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Tue, January 19, 2010 5:38 pm
To: [log in to unmask]

Let me say right up front that I don't claim to know much about
computers, but I do have a 19 year old son, who perhaps thinks he knows
more than he does, but is very helpful. ;-) 

My computer is running slower and slower and I think it may be because
it needs to be upgraded, or perhaps I just need to scrap it for a new
one (?). So I'm looking for advice. If its worth upgrading, how would I
go about doing that? 

Its a Vaio Pentium 4, 3.40 GHz, 1 GB RAM, and 225 GB HDD (with about 50
GB free), and a RADEON X300 series graphics card. Windows XP Media
Center, 2002 edition, service pack 3. It has a nice, Sony large flat
screen monitor that came with it, so is also 5 years old. 

I use it mostly for email (Outlook), internet (Firefox), creating
documents (WORD), EXCEL for spreadsheets, photo storage and some photo
manipulation with a Nikon program, watching my library of knitting
instructional videos (using ImgBurn to rip them and daemontools lite to
watch them), watching tv through Comcast (sometimes recording a program
to watch later), and watching the occasional movie online at Netflix. Oh
yeah, and backing up my PALM phone and downloading podcasts from radio
(Creative Central) and syncing them to my Creative Zen. 

I use Windows Live OneCare for virus protection. 

I remember when it responded to commands faster than I could snap my
fingers. It no longer does that, which is why I'm thinking it may need a
faster processor or more active memory. I don't even know it its
advisable or even possible to do this, so that's my question. 

Any and all advice would be appreciated. Just please use novice-speak,
or I won't get it. 

Cynthia 

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