Wish I could help, but I really am a pretend Geek. Sounds like you have done all the things you should do. I doubt it's XP.

Seems to me that something is running in the background, like anti-virus, and slowing your machine down. Is your hard disk almost full? That will slow things down. I share your opinion about not having the time to mess the PC.

I often am asked about what to do with PC's that are say 4 years old. Now this is in a business environment, but has validity in the personal use situation. They call and say that they want to have the PC's upgraded. I tell them that I think they are nuts. In my opinion, PC's and laptops are disposable. They have gotten so cheap that you almost can't afford to fix the bloody things.

Wish I knew the answer to your slowness problem.

Steve