DJ,
Whenever posting questions on these forums, please give us as much information as possible about your computer. Depending on your issue, we might need the operating system, processor speed, amount of RAM installed, brand name of the computer, (if there is one), and any EXACT error messages you are receiving, and any other information you think might be helpful. The more information you give us, the better informed our answer will be.
In the meantime, please try the procedures in both of the links below:
How To Shut Down Unnecessary Start Up Programs
How To Clean Unwanted Files From The Hard Drive
Have you checked for spyware? Please download, install, update, then run the free spyware removal tools below:
Ad-Aware">http://www.lavasoftusa.com/support/download/]Ad-Aware
Dumb question here for anyone that can help me. I recently upgraded my RAM; computer was doing physical memory dumps so I figured I may have a bad stick. I am now at 384MB and I figure my computer should be running like greased lightening, but it's not. It's still churning like crazy and even locking up when I play music or movies. Could I be looking at a basic overload of my CPU (it keeps peaking out at 100% evertime the computer freezes) or maybe I have a BAD CPU? Should I just replace the board and the CPU? Hell, my brother put the damn thing together for me about two years ago and I've replaced everything else! LOL
So, what do you all think?

Chowhound
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