PC help needed please.

Penny_Farthing_2

Hi. I have done forum searches and tried to fix the problem with info I found here but I need more help, please.

My PC started running very slowly, especially when loading some of the pictures/text in fancy boxes etc on our BT broadband connection. I clicked a Java update box but I'm not sure whether this caused it. I also updated the firefox browser I was using solely for Quidco. The Firefox ran ok even when IE was pants. To sort it out I have
1 cleared spyware/did virus scan - PC tools spyware doctor and Symantec anti virus corporate edition
2 Installed service pack 2 on Windows XP and upgraded to IE 7
3 Did a defrag and scandisc and cleared temporary internet files

State of play now is

a) my incoming emails are pictureless
b) the PC is very slow indeed to boot up and shut down
c) outlook express is very slow to launch - well, everything is, really

I have 17 icons next to the clock in the bottom right hand corner (though I had a fair few before)

If anyone can help, I'd be very grateful
Thanks

Penny_Farthing_2

Thanks for quick reply.
Symantec needed for husband's work and PC has been fine with it until now. Will do the other things you suggest. I thought a defrag was a defrag but is this wrong?

HoofeHearted

It's a works PC and you have only just installed SP2???

Unbelievable.

Penny_Farthing_2

No HH it's not a works PC. He uses it for work related stuff v occasionally but they want the Symantec thing on there anyway.

Penny_Farthing_2

Aardvark - if we give it to his IT department, we won't see it for months! It's our own computer and will be way down their list of 'favours'. I see what you mean about the defragger - thanks. Will look at the sticky. Forgot to mention we have the Norton spyware scan too. Mr is trying to reduce the way the PC starts loads of stuff up when it boots up then we'll get to working through your suggestions. Thanks.

wakandem

from the apparant age of the system it may just need a bit more ram make sure you have 512mb min) & if it is the original hard drive, that may be running slow & on the way out. Certainly go through the above to see if that helps. Get rid of all secuity except what is required for work, spybot & spywareblaster.
You could consider a reinstal of the os and get the progs back on. Your work IT dept will move their asses to get a copy of the anti-virus on - or should do, and then get all the upgrades inc sp2 from ms. If you do this then I would be tempted to put new system on a new hard drive to ensure reliability.