Hi Rockitman
Sounds mostly like a memory problem, also in the light that you mention the PC only have 256mb RAM. 512 is the absolute minimum for running windows XP satisfactory.
Some things to check:
1. Make sure that only a minimum of programs are running, both during boot and session's. With only 256mb RAM this is very important. Its also important that the programs you do have running are in the lightweight category. (Mcafee is
not a lightweight, on the contrary). To eliminate programs that aren't needed for windows during boot, download this very lightweight portable program (No installation needed!) named StartupLite from Malwarebytes.org :
LINK
Doubleclick the icon, and you will be presented by the programs not needed. check those that you wants to remove during boot.
Furthermore, many security programs can be very resource hogger's. If you want some more info, please let me know, and post your current security programs aswell.
2. Check your pagefile value. The pagefile values can be found via:
Startmenu / My computer–>Controlpanel–>System–>Advanced–>Performance /click the radio button settings–>Advanced–>Virtual Memory.
You are now in the pagefile area. Check the values. If you are unsure how your settings should be, write them in your next post, i'll guide how to set them correctly.
3. Cleanup your PC. To do this, I would recommend using the Ccleaner program. The Ccleaner can be found here:
LINK
When and if you install it, be sure to uncheck / untick the option to install Yahoo.toolbar.
Some settings in the cleaner should also be set: Uncheck cookies. Note that if you don't, settings / preferences and passwords related to webpages you visit will no longer be remembered for you!
In the Settings under Advanced, uncheck "delete only windows temp.files older than 48 hours"
Using the cleaner is easy. Just set it to analyze or click Run cleaner right away (No important files, other than cookies, can be deleted)
Registry (the blue cube) Scan for problems, then click fix all, you will be prompted if you wants to make a backup, say yes to this and fix.
To further clean up, right-click your HD disc icon in "my computer"–>Properties, down by the "cheesewheel" there is a radio button which allow you to clean that partition. Click it, click ok and the cleaning will begin.
4. To ensure your HD is running at its best, you should defragment it on a regurlarly basis. Using windows own defragmentation tool is quite fine, altho abit slow. Or you can download Auslogics Disk defrag which is a fast defragmenter, not as depth-going but faster than windows own (way faster actually). It can be found here:
LINK
How often it is needed to defragment depends on how much you download and installs / uninstalls. The age of you HD can also have
an impact on HD performance. Once a month is absolutely the minimum in my opinion. Remember, that you must have at least 20% free harddisk space to perform a drefragmentation that is good!
Well, its a mouthfull. But a PC needs care just like a car needs oil, wash, gas etc. etc. So doing those things are imperative for a smooth running machine. It may be that it won't solve all problems, then we just take it from there.
Let me know how it went when done.
Kind Regards Abydos
Ps. If you have any questions to any of the above, please notify. Better safe than sorry as the saying goes.
