My computer runs very slow after a while and it would become difficult to shut programs. I would then go to the task manager to close the program only to see that the cpu is running at 100% and it want let me do anything.

AMD Anthlon 2600+
256MB
40GB HDD
64MB Geforce 2 MX 400

Which OS are you running? Which anti-virus? Have you checked for adware/spyware lately? Are you running the Windows fast-switcher PowerToy? Are you on broadband or dial-up? Are you using a firewall? Any weird toolbars, pop-ups, or changed start-pages lately?

Please help us help you. Read the malware article in m\y signature, below. If you feel that you are up to running HijackThis, post a log here before you try to fix anything. In any case, we need more information.

My os is Windows XP Home Edition 5.1 Build 2600
I am connected to the Internet on a DSL modem. Sometimes weird toolbars come up but I get rid of those programs. I am running Norton Anti-Virus.
What is the Windows switcher power toys? I dont think it has anything to do with the internet.

It certainly sounds like a spyware/malware issue- exactly how are you removing the offending programs, toolbars, etc.? There have been a number of posts here in the last few days which deal with effectively getting rid of malware- take a look through those for solutions.

Fast user switching- this Google search will give you info on that:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&i...=Google+Search


In Task Manager, look in the "processes" tab and see if you can determine which process is chewing up your resources.

Does this happen randomly, or does it seem (think carefully) to be related to running a certain program or performing a certain task?
Close down any programs you don't need and disable items in your system tray (anti-virus, etc.). If that cures the problem, restart the applications you closed one at a time to see if you can pinpoint the culprit.

I don't know how to rmove spyware I dont know how. I remove search bars by going into the remove/add programs thing
This problem usually happens after i have been using the comp for awhile. Usually i am using win media player and the internet at the same time.

OK- I'll bet you've probably picked up a bunch of spyware/malware, and that's what is clogging up your system. Download, install, and run the following (free) malware removal tools:

Ad Aware: www.lavasoftusa.com
SpyBot Search & Destroy: http://www.safer-networking.org/
SpywareBlaster: http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
HijackThis: http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/downloads.html

I would suggest running Ad Aware and SpyBot together; run one of them, reboot to make sure the fixes take effect, and then immediately run the other. Close all unnecessary program before doing the runs.

Also, you should use Window's Automatic Update function to install the latest security patches and bug fixes for the operating system, Internet Explorer, and Media Player- Microsoft has recently posted some new updates which, among other things, can help make your system more immune to the effects of malicious programs like spyware/adware/malware.

How does getting rid of ads and spyware affect my procesor?
Does spyware run in the background or something?

This program has really made my memory life better. Get memory boost pro, at http://www.memboost.com

had that program before on my other comp. but then my computer started to go slow after about 6 weeks. I'll try it anyways I probably need more memory

Yes, that's the whole idea of malware programs. Depending on the particular program, it might also be generating network/Interent traffic that you aren't even aware of.

How much memory do you have in your system? If you've got 256 or more and you're still experiencing slowdowns, I would seriously check your system for spyware/malware.