Suspect memory problems in XPS 8250

First Sandy, you do not have a XPS 8250 but a Dimension 8250 system  :smileyvery-happy:

512 mb of memory is too low for windows xp and you should have at least 1 GB of memory for better performance, but unfortunately, that RDRAM memory is very expensive.

You can improve things a bit by disabling all but the anti virus software at boot to free up some memory. 

Things you can do to improve the performance of your system.

1. More Memory

Windows XP: likes 1 GB or more will improve things.
 
2. Hard drive needs to be defragged.

If the hard drive is full or near full, this will slow the system down, and you need to unload some of the programs, pictures, music, etc to free up some space.

3. Use two spyware programs, and keep them up to date, use them often to get the spyware off.

http://www.filehippo.com/download_ccleaner/

CCleaner, is a freeware system optimization/privacy tool. It removes unused and temporary files from your system , which helps Windows to run faster.

It cleans the following:

1. Internet Explorer Cache, History, Cookies, Index.dat;
2. Recycle Bin, Temporary files and Log files;
3. Recently opened URLs and files;
4. Third-party application temp files and recent file lists (MRUs);
5. Including: Firefox, Opera, Media Player, eMule, Kazaa, Google Toolbar, Netscape, Office XP, Nero, Adobe Acrobat, WinRAR, WinAce, WinZip and more...

It also contains an "Advanced Registry Scanner" and cleaner to remove unused and old entries to include File Extensions, ActiveX Controls, ClassIDs, ProgIDs, Uninstallers, Shared DLLs, Fonts, Help Files, Application Paths, Icons, Invalid Shortcuts, etc.

4. Disable all, but the Anti Virus software and Firewall at boot up. No other program really needs to start up at boot, which takes resources and slows things down.

Stop Unnecessary Startup programs


http://netsquirrel.com/msconfig/msconfig_xp.html

Click on START, Click on Run, than put in the box MSCONFIG Click OK. Now you are in the System Configuration Utility Program. Click on START UP you see on the top of this Utility Program. Uncheck the programs from here that you do not want to start at boot up, leaving the Anti Virus and any third party firewall alone. You can always go back into this program to restart them. They will not be uninstalled.

Click on APPLY, than it will ask you if you wish to reboot the system. Do so. After it boots up again, you will be presented with another window from the System Configuration Utility Program telling you that you have made an adjustment. If you don't want to see this pop up each time you boot up, put a check mark in the little box in the lower left corner of this announcement.

http://www.sysinfo.org/startuplist.php  

Link above is to a site that can explain what you have starting up, if you do not already know, and which ones you can safely un-check. It’s a long list. Or you can Google Search for what is showing in the Msconfig program, and see what it is...

5. Use the Disk CleanUp program

By freeing disk space, you can improve the performance of your computer. The Disk Cleanup tool helps you free up space on your hard disk. The utility identifies files that you can safely delete, and then enables you to choose whether you want to delete some or all of the identified files.

Use Disk Cleanup to:

Remove temporary Internet files.

Remove downloaded program files (such as Microsoft ActiveX controls and Java applets).

Empty the Recycle Bin.

Remove Windows temporary files.

Remove optional Windows components that you don't use.

Remove installed programs that you no longer use.


6. The Registry may become corrupted over time.  Many have done a complete Reformat and Reinstall of the Operating System, which will bring it back to day one again, making things faster. Lots of work and you must save everything you do not wish to lose prior to the reformat.

7. Clean out E-mail Inbox that will help to speed up your system slightly.

8. Dusting, and cleaning of the system, reducing heat build-up will help matters as well.

9. Check your drivers. They may be way out of date. Download the more current drivers if need be.