XP-no "add/remove" programs function

[NASCAR8]

I need help-several weeks ago my comp started responding very slow-would
hang between programs loading & would shut down or freeze.Then a few
weeks ago the hard drive would "beep"....slow at first-(like a low
battery warning in a smoke detector)-then started beeping all the
time.Now it takes forever to login.I cant open "add/remove programs" to
see whats there & I cant do a system restore. When I go into my computer
I get this-: an error has occurred C:\windows\system
32\inetcpl.cpl.)There are also other icons/programs that wont open. Can
anyone help? Tks-Andy

 

[Elmo]

I need help-several weeks ago my comp started responding very slow-would
hang between programs loading & would shut down or freeze. Then a few
weeks ago the hard drive would "beep".. slow at first, (like a low
battery warning in a smoke detector) then started beeping all the
time. Now it takes forever to login. I can't open "add/remove programs" to
see what's there & I can't do a system restore. When I go into My Computer
I get this: "An error has occurred C:\windows\system
32\inetcpl.cpl". There are also other icons/programs that won't open. Can
anyone help? Tks-Andy

How do you know the hard drive was beeping, is it external? It reads
like a hardware problem to me.. Either a fan, the hard drive, power
supply, or motherboard is failing.