When was the last time you did a "system cleanup"? If you're running WIN98/ME/XP this option is available under the start menu,programs,system tools. Get rid of all those old temp and internet temp files. Do a system defrag in that same system tools menu.Start your system in the safe mode, and use these tools to get rid of spy ware:http://www.lavasoft.de/software/adaware/
And this:http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/fil...d,22262,00.asp The first is Adaware, the second is Spybot search and destroy. The reason you want to run these in the safe mode is to prevent the programs that are slowing down your computer and running in the background from starting up. If they are running in the background, the removal tools may not be able to remove the offending programs.