XP system running very slow

First, I would think more RAM is in order before you troubleshoot much further. I wouldn't run Win2K or XP on less than 256mb. We had slowness issues when benchmarking in our lab and saw dramatic increases in performance when RAM was added. Slower machines with more RAM outbenchmarked faster machines with less RAM. The cost of RAM is so low these days it should be a financial killer to upgrade.

To improve and hence boost Win XP on AMD system there are 2 ways:
1) Install XP with ACPI Disabled (totally disabled)
2) Install XP with ACPI Enabled, but then install a new XP certified driver for AMD Athlon processors.

Here's the method for no 2:
Alternatively, for AMD system, you can use this new driver for XP. Just copy this files into diskette A (without any directory) and during fresh installation of XP just do nothing. This will install XP with ACPI enabled. After full installation, just go to device manager....under Processors\AMD Athlon(tm) Procesors.....double click that will show properties....choose driver and update with the files on diskette A.

This method 1) and 2) will boost XP under AMD system
Grab the driver here (courtesy of pltguy from AMDMB forum):
AMD Driver To Boost M$ Windows XP

Then Click or Right Click and choose Save Target As....the file AMD.ZIP

Or you can visit this link for better understanding, thanks pltguy: http://bbs.pcstats.com/amdzone/mess...&threadid=50540

This AMD driver has Microsoft Windows XP Publisher Digitally Signed on 30 August 2001. The driver version is DriverVer=08/29/2001,5.1.2535.0 and the String is:

[AMD]
%AmdK7.DeviceDesc% = AmdK7_Inst,ACPI\AuthenticAMD_-_x86_Family_6_Model_6
%AmdK7.DeviceDesc% = AmdK7_Inst,ACPI\AuthenticAMD_-_x86_Family_6_Model_7

[strings]
MSFT = "Microsoft"
AMD = "Advanced Micro Devices"
AmdK7.SvcDesc = "AMD K7 Processor Driver"
AmdK7.DeviceDesc = "AMD K7 Processor"
DiskDesc = "Q306458"

XP runs fine on just 128MB of ram. Before rushing out and buying more ram, try turning off all the special effects that XP loads with. This should have a significant improvement on how fast it is.
1. Right click on "My computer"
2. select properties
3. Select the Advanced tab
4. Under Performance, select settings
5. Select adjust for best performance.

This will turn off all the special effects that XP loads. However, if you would like to retain the look of XP then follow steps 1-5 bove and then select the last check box in the list labeled: Use visual styles.....

You should notice a significant performance increase immediately.

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