The problem with XP is that over time, as updates are installed along with new programmes the system gets tired (not very technical I know) When I was running XP I used to do a full reinstall every year or so to de-clog it.
As the hard drive is working hard could you check what size swap file you have
- Right Click on My Computer and click on *Properties*
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Click on the Advanced tab
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Uner the Performance section, click on Settings
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Click on the Advanced tab
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Under the Virtual Memory section, click on Change
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Select the C: drive (partition)
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From this point, you can adjust the minimum and maximum size (MBs) to 3069
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Click OK/Apply until you get out of all those screens
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You will be prompted to restart your computer. Before you click “OK” at that prompt, make sure you finish any work that you are doing or save anything you are doing so as to not lose anything.
Also bear in mind that most programmes now are designed to work on Vista or better with at least 2Gb of RAM. So over time programmes will increase in size and requirements. So 500Mb of RAM three years ago was good, you are now seeing programmes which require that much just by themselves, without factoring in windows requirements