Slow computer, i want to start from scratch but dont know how, help?

my computer is sooooo slow,

i've done defragmenting, optimizing, disk checks, windows repairs, virus scans, deleted all the stuff i didnt need.

nothing worked, its still really slow, it takes anything upto 10 mins just to open 1 thing.

i want to completely wipe the hard drive and re-install xp and start from scratch but i'm not sure how to do it, can any one help?

i'm no computer genius so simple answers would be much appreciated,

thank you in advance for anyone who helps xxx

Slow computer, i want to start from scratch but dont know how, help?nortan

If this problem did not exist from the beginning when you first had this PC, and since then you have not done anything like upgrade your Windows to a later version (eg. Win98 to WinXP, or XP to Vista), then I would say that your disk space is probably the issue. Check how much disk space you have left. if you have less than 1Gb on each of the drives, then that's definitely your problem there. Add a second hard disk to your PC and move most of your stuff from the old drive there, then you will see the speed go back to "normal".

Another thing that will affect your computer's performance is the RAM. How much you have and what OS you're running plays a big part. If you're running even a P4 but with only 512Mb of RAM and you have Vista loaded, your PC will definitely crawl. 2Gb will be sufficient to experience Vista comfortably.