I run XP 2003 on a stand alone pc.
Some time ago my pc gradually started slowing down I can't really remember when. Then it became stagnant seemingly overnight. I noticed in particular that it could take up to 2 minutes to open my home page (bbc). Worse it it took even longer to shut down 5+ mins on occasions - I have now taken to just unplugging it if it hasn't switched off by the time i put the cat out and make my self a cup of coffee. Even when I logged other users off before I started using the pc, when it came to shutting down I would get the messages that other users were logged on.
Switching from one application to another became an absolute nightmare - usually only Word,Excel Outlook and IE, it was so slow. Adobe reader stopped working wouldn't uninstall or re-install eventually i got error 1714 and managed to sort that out.
I have the windows auto update switched on, but part of the error fixing was about a million security updates that I apparently needed. I started down loading them but gave up after about 15 of em, I wondered should I have downloaded service pack 3. I uninstalled the only programme that I added recently, that might have caused conflict. However when the various kids go on it goodness knows what comes along with the games sites they are always on.
I tried to contact a web site using their 'contact me link' but my email was refused saying that my ip address was logged as sending spam.
I've followed all of the suggestions that PC Advisor forum members suggested by running A2, SuperAntispyware, RegscrubXP and a trendmicros online scanner as well as my usual CCleaner, ad-aware, cleanup! spywareblaster. I've also followed your checks and it is still sluggish, better but sluggish.
My spouse works from home now, logging into the companys system, but it means the pc is ofen on all day long - is it old age or am I still infected?
I hope that all of this makes sense to you. Thank you for any help that you can give me.
Beep