Simply download StartUpLite from the link below and save it to a convenient location. Double click StartUpLite.exe. Select all options you would like executed and select continue.

http://www.malwarebytes.org/startuplite.php

Stop some of the start ups from running, using the program from Malwarebytes above. See if that helps.

+ Uninstall any programs from the add/ remove list that you don't use, this will free up even more disk space.

Providing the operating system, amount of ram installed and amount of free space on the hard drive will give us a better idea on how to proceed, Also how old is the computer? What Anti Virus is running? Make &Model...

Thank you... I'll gather that info and post it.

Thanks, Theresa

Run CCleaner with the default settings it will usually find a lot more flotsam than your Windows' Disk Clean utility.

Also, if it has never been done or not for a considerably long time an error-checking of the H/D would be in order.

Finally, a defrag with Defraggler tends to do a much better job than the Windows' version.

DA

OK, hope this is the right info.
System: Microsoft Windows XP
Home Edition
Version 2002
Service Pack 3
Computer: Intel(R)
Pentium(R)4CPU 2.00GHz
1.99GHz, 512MB RAM
Free Space:46.0 GB
Anti Virus:AVG Free 8.5
Make & Model:Dell Dimension 8200

Did the above suggestions, start up seems quicker. I get the "Your computer might be at risk. No firewall is turned on."balloon. But the firewall is on according to the security center.
Spyware Doctor scans on start up. Could this be a problem?
What error fix should I use?

Sorry,another issue with this the computer ,the rest of the family uses this PC,I have my own laptop, so I'm noticing problems as I go.Start up is good, it's getting on internet. It uses Mozilla Firefox . The page loading is extremely slow.Can anything be done?

Error-Checking is a Windows utility.

My Computer>right-click on c: drive>Properties>Tools tab>Select Error-Checking Check Now>Check both appearing options>Start>Approve task on next startup>Reboot.

The utility preforms a five step task and will appear as a DOS screen of either blue or black background. The first three steps go quickly. Steps four and five, particularly step five, take a while. You will not be able to use the system during this process.

As to the slow browser, do you have the current FF, Java, Shockwave Player and Flash Player?

DA

Thank you DA. I will do the error checking now. I don't know if I have the current FF, Java, Shockwave Player and Flash Player. How do I find out?

Suggest you go to this site and run the Secunia scan. This will tell you which of your programs are insecure and need to be updated. It also lets you update from the scan interface.

Here is a link that might be useful: Secunia OSI

Ran Secunia earlier. Everything is up to date. Running error check now. This computer is so SLOW, I wanna scream.
Will be back with results.

512MB RAM that would be the likely reason it is so slow, you really need more RAM added to that computer it is struggling with that little amount. RAM is cheap and easy to add.

OK,about RAM, please advise. How much,brand,etc.?
While we're at it,is it easy to add a new hard drive? This computer is the one with a lot of clicking noises that I inquired about a couple of months back. Was told possible HD going bad.

For RAM advise check crucial.com and use their advisor.

DA

I recall working on a Dimension 8200 a while ago and I think it took the older Rambus type memory. Rambus memory has to be added in pairs, so you would have to add two 512 MB modules to upgrade to 1 GB. I'm not sure if your computer uses Rambus, but you need to find out what type of memory to purchase before upgrading. I would go to the Dell service site listed below and enter the service tag number, which should be on a sticker attached to the computer case.

Here is a link that might be useful: Dell Tech Support

Thank you! Will do.

Here is the Dell home page. I don't know what I'm looking for. Can someone help?

Here is a link that might be useful: Dell Website

I don't see it on that page either. I would go to Crucial.com and let the site scan your computer and make recommendations. You don't have to buy the memory from them but I have in the past and had good luck with it.

also you can download the free belarc advisor which will scan your pc and give you an excellent list of everything that is on your pc including the memory, the type you have installed how many slots you have on the pc and if you have any open slots etc, it is something I advise everyone to do and keep a print out of the list in case they ever need it when the pc is not working.

Belarc Advisor

you can use the crucial page also but you do not have to buy from them.
I buy my memory from newegg.com I find their prices are excellent, usually go with kingston brand.

Replacing or adding RAM is easy to do, there are some great guides online with pictures and also if you go to youtube and search for installing ram you will find video tutorials.

Belarc will also tell you what kind of hard drive connections you have so you would know what you need to buy if you were to replace it.

Installing Desktop Memory Modules

you said you had a Dell Dimension 8200 in your info
Make & Model:Dell Dimension 8200

I found this at the Dell site from a user post.

" I was able to get some RAM to work but not with the original DELL RAM. I had to install the new RAM only. I put the new RAM (2 x 512) into the first 2 slots and installed the continuity modules in the second two slots. The memory that works is Kingston KTD-DM800E/1024. Other info written on the memory was P695361X1; 2.5V; 9930165-003.A00. I have a Dimension 8200 Series, 1.9Ghz processor and it had 512mB RDRAM from Dell originally. At least I've doubled the RAM now.
I hope this helps others trying to find RDRAM for older Dimension 8200 machines."

below is the link to the Dell page for your model 8200

Here is a link that might be useful: Dell Dimension 8200 info page

opps hit submit before I was done LOL

From the Dell info page it shows that it is the old Rambus type Ram
Search Results for "Dell Dimension 8200"

That kind is going to be a lot more expensive unfortunately.
But if you go to google and do a search for it you can find it. Here is the search to do
PC800 / 800MHz Desktop RDRAM

Is that old pc really worth spending a lot of money on? You may be better off putting the money into a newer one.

Thank you guys, for all your help. We're probably just going to get a new tower. What would be the least amount of RAM, speed, etc. For just home use?

Theresa

Undoubtedly any new computer will be running Windows 7 (suggest Home Premium x64). For this, most are now showing 4GB of RAM, and this is the minimum I would settle for. You shouldn't have trouble finding one with this much. Also most have fairly large hard drives, around 500GB or more, although for normal home use that is more than adequate. Go with a dual core processor. You will be amazed at how much faster a new computer will run with plenty of RAM. The newer RAM is DDR3, so get that rather than DDR2. A 7200rpm SATA hard drive will be faster than a 5400 rpm, and that's what most new desktops have. Others may have additional suggestions.