My processor speed has been halved...never runs above 1.26 ghz or so. System Restore will -not- work anymore, regardless of running it from earlier points, in safe mode, after uninstalling programs. Norton Firewall will not enable, saying that I do not have permission to use it.

 

Before this, I had driver IRQL less than or equal blue screen errors that I fixed, as well as some issues with spyware and network connectivity. I inherited this computer from somewhat of an irresponsible PC user. The system is a 2400, XP Home. The only upgrade it's gotten that I know of is an ATI 9200.

 

Explorer.exe and svchost.exe processes always have a lot of mem usage, around 20,000k each. The page file usage with absolutely NOTHING running anywhere and with the Windows 98-lookin' "optimize for speed" memory settings, is at 346.  It's as if the computer's draining all of its power doing nothing. And I'm out of ideas to fix it, save buying a new XP copy...and I'm not even sure that would work. I'm at a loss, honestly.

 

Suggestions?