But isn't that what fragmenting the computer is for?? :think2:
No. Those are not connected. With every program that is ever installed you leave a trace inside the registry. Over time your windows folder will become full of things no longer in use, and your registry will be filled with information to programs and events that are no longer important.
Defragmented only picks up pieces of data and alligns them next to their accompanied piece. In other words if you install something it will go all over the hard drive. In order to SPEED up the locating and loading of files or programs, the computer through defragmentation will re-allign these items closer to together. It does little to nothing with helping your registry and it does not delete anything.
Again, I can't say how important it is to notice from point A to point Z. Point A would be the first few days your new computer is up and running. Point Z is when everything used to be going smooth - and then randomly, or be bad luck, everything just takes LONGER. From websurfing, to opening windows, logging on, shutting down, etc. When you have reached that "Z" point, you need to go back to "A". I know too many people who were convinced that their computer slowly died. There are so many reasons it appears to be dying. Computers are very powerful machines capable of being on 24/7 for many years. You just have to keep the system healthy. In order to do that, from time to time that means reinstalling its brains.
You've got a few options. Start over - reinstall. Or pay the $$$ for a new system that in 2 years will be showing the same problems.
You do need more memory though. That will HELP everything. 512 megs of RAM at a minimum to run XP SMOOTHLY.
