sweeping problems

[ddouglass]

You need to update your computer from Microsoft's Update web page (find it in your start menu. Use the Custom updates rather than the Express. XP has been up to SP3 for quite a while and weekly come out with security updates for it. One point is do not do the Hardware updates as they tend to be incorrect.
My guess would be that your computer has slowed down which all Microsoft operating systems tend to do over time as you use the computer. What can you do to help speed it up?
Delete all the temp files that programs tend to use and leave on your hard drive. To do this start with Internet Explorer Internet Tools and delete the temporary files. Then in the Local Settings for your user account has a Temp Folder you can empty as well as C:\Temp and C:\Windows\Temp. Be sure to empty the Recycling Bin afterwards.
Then you need to defragment the drive to make it run faster.
Last I would recommend running a Registry Cleaner, but be careful doing this as some will get carried away with what they delete.