I have Windows XP SP3. I tried everything CurlyBen suggested: I ran CCleaner, defragged, already had AVG Antivirus installed, ran antt-adware programs, ran Windows Update, etc. I checked msconfig but it doesn't look like there are numerous unnecessary start-up items. I tried uninstalling programs that I'm not using, like Microsoft Encyclopedia which was 360mb all on its own.

And after all that, it still takes a long time to respond. It took over 30 seconds for just this page to load, and I'm using DSL! Any other suggestions on what to do?

After you have uninstalled stuffs, rerun ccleaner and defrag again ;)

Also what's the spec of your machine.

One step ahead of you Ben ;)

Now, if you could be so kind to define "spec." I know a little about computers but that's a broad term *lol*

Something else I thought of: do you recommend a secondary firewall? Windows Defender automatically has one installed but should I download Zone Alarm or something else as a backup?

OK, if you could file in the blanks that would be great.

Operating system:
CPU Speed:
RAM:
Hard drive size and free space:
Color:
Left or Right Handed widget:

Top 3 can be found when you do Properties on My Computer.

Operating system:
Microsoft Windows XP
Home Edition
Version 2002
Service Pack 3

CPU Speed:
2.20GHz

RAM:
128 MB of RAM

Hard drive size and free space:
Size 37.2GB, free space is 24.2GB

Color:
Oh, come on ;)

Left or Right Handed widget:
Not sure what a "widget" is but if you mean mouse, I would be a righty :D

Well for starters you have way too little RAM.
XP works best with 512 MB+

Just this simple addition will yield HUGE results.

Ps the last two where a joke ;)

Kind of figured as much... I did something once on my old computer where I took the cover off and installed something in a slot. Would that be adding RAM or something else?

Yes, no, maybe ;)

What brand are we talking here ?

I don't even remember. We bought some cheap box that had a computer-looking piece inside of it; I followed the instructions in the box. Wow, I'm soooo helpful :D

Heheh no worries

Well you need to find out the speed of your RAM so you can get the right one.
This little app will help: Belarc Advisor - Free Personal PC Audit (http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html)

It does a full audit of your system.

Once you know what you need, then time for eBay.
This will be the best place as older RAM is harder and more expensive to find.

Very awesome; I'll hop on it ASAP. Thanks a ton :D

A couple of add-on comments: I'd suggest maxing out your RAM. You can never have too much RAM, and it's pretty cheap these days. You'll need to do a bit of homework to figure out the largest RAM chips your slots will hold. Also, when you install RAM be sure you use the grounding strap and follow the directions carefully!

If it's taking awhile for your pages to load, it may be your browser. What browser are you using? I suggest getting Firefox, and see if that doesn't speed things up.

I downloaded and ran the Belarc PC audit; I'm not sure what to do from this point. I know Curlyben said it will tell me what I need, but I'm not sure where to check.

Belarc will give you detailed specs of your machine, included the speed of your RAM.
This is needed to ensure you get the correct type.

If you need help deciphering it, post it up and we'll help.

Don't worry about the Microsoft stuff as all we're really interested in is the hardware.

What section is it listed under? Processor, drives, memory..

Memory ;)

Memory modules section reads as follows:

126 Megabytes Installed Memory

Slot 'DIMM_1' has 128 MB
Slot 'DIMM_2' is Empty

Oh and the system model information.

System model info:

Dell Computer Corporation Dimension 2400
System Service Tag: GT05V31 (support for this PC)
Chassis Serial Number: GT05V31
Enclosure Type: Space-saving

Excellent.
Well according to Dell's site you need DDR 400 Mhz RAM modules.
Dell : Memory : Accessories : Home & Home Office (http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/category.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&category_id=4325&mfgpid=190929&chassisid=8219)

These are relatively easy to get hold of and quite cheap as well.

Will this one work?

1GB PC2700 LOW DENSITY DDR MEMORY 4 DELL DIMENSION 2400 - eBay (item 200270479830 end time Jan-01-09 00:41:55 PST) (http://cgi.ebay.com/1GB-PC2700-LOW-DENSITY-DDR-MEMORY-4-DELL-DIMENSION-2400_W0QQitemZ200270479830QQihZ010QQcategoryZ44936 QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1713.m153.l1262)

Never mind, the one I linked to is only 333mHz; I found a 400 mHz from the same seller. Thank you so much :)

Alrighty! I just received my "Dell validated" 1GB, 400mHz RAM in the mail... now what? Lol

Is it a "plug & play" so to speak? Do I pull off the cover, insert it(with the computer off, of course!) & I'm good to go?

Yep, that's about it.
You may get a RAM warning, but READ what it says and go from there.

Make sure you earth yourself so as not to damage the memory module.
Also remove the old 128 stick as well.

Okie dokie; got it in! Would have saved a lot of time, had I not experienced a blonde moment and forgotten that the side panel has a "release lever" lol

It seems to be faster but could still use some help. For example: I turned it on, Windows loaded and asked which profile I would like to use. I scrolled over the name and it took 8 full seconds for the mouse arrow to change to a hand. Do you recommend I try everything(defrag, CCleaner, etc.) all over again?

To run event viewer, go start/run/type eventvwr.msc, then take a look at both the applications, and system errors. You might see something that happens at the same time as your windows logon. Only worry if it's an error.

Another thing you might try is downloading and running Process Explorer (http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896653.aspx), and looking for processes that are hogging your CPU (event viewer will give you a static view of errors that have occurred, process explorer will give you a dynamic view of what's happening in your CPU).

All of the most recents errors in the Applications file are described as IE "hanging" and the last one occurred yesterday at 8:55am. I assume that's just when it temporarily freezes, which it hasn't done quite yet since I upgraded the RAM last night around 5pm.

There hasn't been an error recorded in the System file since 12/19; that was to tell me my AVG E-mail scanner didn't load quick enough.

I also downloaded Process Explorer; doesn't seem like there's anything unnecessarily running or taking up a lot of space.