Resolved PC Virtually Unusable First 20 to 30 Mins after start

Hi folks, I'm back after having a session about this issue on the Malware Forum as you suggested. Didn't fully understand what they were doing for me but I think they cleaned out a load of rubbish and cleared one minor threat. Anyway I'm now told that PC is completely 'clean'. Even before this though things appeared to have improved considerably i.e. no long 'get up and running times' so something, but not sure what, we did has helped. I rather suspect that it was no one specific thing but a combination of the fixes we tried. Having said that, there did seem to be a marked improvement after I had cleaned out/deleted some redundant Scheduled Tasks. Just mentioned that in case it helps anyone reading this thread in the future.
Anyway, I'll just leave things a bit longer before I mark the post 'Resolved' just in case the worst happens but want to say a big thanks to all for interest, suggestions and patience with a special mention to you PeteC for your encouragement.
A Little Moral Support Makes A Big Difference.

 

We have been trying to get you to turn off as much as possible.
Who scheduled those Tasks ?
You or MS ?
If it was you - don't do it again.
If it was MS, could you pass on to us which ones ?
Because I too, want to have everything possible turned off.

 

I'm sorry Robcrombie I've deleted so much rubbish over the last 2 or 3 weeks I have forgotten what they were. I didn't just disable them I deleted them. They were tasks that I didn't even recognize so I must have 'Googled' them to see what they were before weilding the axe. I bought the PC second hand 3 or 4 yrs ago and I reckon they have been sitting there from when I bought it. Just have a look at your Scheduled tasks and identify each one via Google. I would imagine you would soon then be able to make up your mind if you really need them.
I've just re-visited mine to make sure that what I'm telling you is right and I notice a couple of fresh ones have sited themselves there, obviously from the many anti malware checks I was asked to do by the Malware Forum guys so I have to investigate them now to see if I really want to keep them - they're scheduled to run daily would you believe.
Regards.

 

As your XP was preinstalled this may halp you make your own copy of XP if you are unable to borrow one.

http://ask-leo.com/i_dont_have_an_installation_cd_for_windows_xp_what_if_i_need_one.html

 

Many thanks for thought but tried that a few months ago and, just my luck, I don't have the I386 folder that the artical refers to. In the end I resorted to creating an image of my hard drive with OS on and storing image on second physical drive.