Stlpilot..formatting isn't going to help capnjohn if he doesn't know how to disable or stop programs on startup....he'll just get himself back to the same situation.

Captnjohn, basically what you need to understand is that when you either download from the net or install a program from a cd, is that there is a option during the installation process that allows you to choose whether or not you want that program to startup when you first turn on your computer...from the looks of it you skip by that part just to get the installation over with. When you do that with a bunch of programs eventually they add up and take up resources and slow your computer down.

You can turn off most of those programs at startup and then most likely your comptuer will run much better. Also you should use the spyware that was posted above and run at least 2 different anti-virus programs. The spyware is for free and if you don't have anti-virus protection let me know and i can show you two that are for free and are considered excellent for anti-virus protection.

If you don't know how to turn off or which programs that should be turned off let me know and i can help you with that too. You have to be careful which programs you do turn off so if you're not sure just ask.