cfisher,
If I were in your situation I would do the following (if you have not already): You need to turn off all programs running in the background which are not necessary. As you probably know, Windows XP, by default, has many programs running at startup which use up memory and thus slow your computer down. The best way to do this is as follows:
Go to Start / Run / type msconfig / OK / Startup Tab / then copy on a piece of paper all of the programs running on your computer. (Just copy the first few letters or word description). Exit the Startup Tab by clicking "Cancel." Then go to the web site listed below -- scroll down and find all your programs -- note the symbol beside each one as to weather you can safely un-check the program. Then go back to the Startup Tab, exactly as before, and uncheck those programs which Pacs Portal suggested. Click Apply / then close out / restart your computer / a window will come up stating you have changed the startup configuration / just check "do not show this window" -- otherwise this window will come up each time you restart. This "tweak" is also the most effective manuever you can do to decrease your startup time.
Please note: if you do find some programs listed on the website, and if you do not recognize what they are, then uncheck them anyway. They may be spyware already on the computer (causing the problem) and if they happen to be a needed program, you will find out when something does not run -- you can then go back and check that particular program.
http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup...tartup_all.php
Hope you get things worked out.
Regards,
TAB