slow xp

A lot of good info can be found at
http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/supertweaks.htm

Having similar problens like this with no real solutions that I have found, I have found a few simple things that have helped a lot.
1. If possible, create sub-directories in folders
containing many items and/or large file sizes.
Depending on the number and average file sizes
of items in directories/sub-directories will
determine the level of performance gains. I would start by creating @ 4 sub-directories under this folder/share and divide the 8000 items into them to start off, whichshould display from the affected workstations in seconds instead of a minute or longer.
2. When accessing folders of this type (one's
with multiple sub-directories containing many
files) expand the directory first in the left
pane of WindowsExplorer or the app by
clicking the + instead of the directory name
in WinXP which automatically expands
directories with a single click and will take
much longer to access. So simple, it's almost embarassing! By spending a few hours one afternoon creating sub-directories and training users to out smart this time wasting annoyance, I was able to submit a significant cost savings plan which more than justified my services, at least for the next FY or until someone else trys to pin another computer related crisis on the Admin. If anyone else has a better solution, I'm still waiting to here it!

When you're browsing across a network, your system is going to slow down. Depending on how busy the system is, the slower or faster it will work. Also depending on the information you're trying to access and if it's on someone elses computer or a server makes a big difference as well.

Severs that have several processers and large amounts of Memory can give you faster access. but only if you're using routers and switches. Hubs don't work as well nor as fast as routers and switches.

Good luck