System Running very slow

[atsbm]

The system idle process is taking 100% of usage and will
not allow any programs to run. I have shut the machine
off several times and tried a variety of programs. Each
program hangs and the system idle process is 98%. Any
ideas?

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

System Idle Process is exactly what is sounds like.
It is the % of processing power available for use, doing nothing.
If you are having problems running slow, that is not the cause.

Try these:
Run an updated virus scan.
Or Scan for Viruses online:
http://security.symantec.com/ssc/home.asp?j=1&langid=ie&venid=sym&plfid=23&pkj=IRLFIZTYMWPAZTJWUFJ
Run Disk Cleanup checking all boxes except "Compress old files"
Run Defrag.
If you have file sharing software such as Kazaa, disable it.
Check this link:
http://www.aumha.org/a/noads.php
Run Ad-Aware (free version) or Spybot to check for spyware:
http://www.lavasoft.de/ (Update if you already have it)
Or
http://spybot.eon.net.au/ (Update if you already have it)

This may apply if you recently installed Windows XP Service Pack 1:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q815411

 

[atsmb]

I cannot load any programs - Quickbooks, Internet
Explorer, Windows Explrer. I can and did run a defrag as
well as a virus scan. Any other ideas?

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

If you tried ALL the things from my previous post, try System Restore:
Start/All Programs/Accessories/System Tools/System Restore.
Select a date before issue started.

Otherwise try a Repair Installation:
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_repair_install.htm

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
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