Computer running slow after XP Re-install, HELP!

Hello all,

A friend gave me a Dell Inspiron 5100. I decided to re-install windows xp just to get all of his old programs and personal info off the computer. (I have done this a few time with my desktop computer with no problems) After the installation I downloaded all the drivers and updates. It seems as though the computer is running slower than it was before I wiped it. It has plenty of HD space, the graphics card is up to date. I even have it plugged into my cable internet, because the wireless card that came with it was old and slow.

Since I have never done this with a laptop, is there something I am over looking? I went to the dell site and downloaded all of the updates and drivers they had for this model.

I would love any helpful info that anyone might have on this situation. Thanks so much!

How much RAM does it have?

512 mb of RAM

The HD might not be clean.

Use the Task Manager to view all applications and processes.

There might be one or two processes using all the CPU.  We don't know how much  free Ram that you have or can recover.

Make sure your anti virus is working.  

Clean the registry:

http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/center/cleanup.htm

Older  machines take quite awhile to boot.  Make  sure the CPU is near zero before using personal applications.

Good Luck

512 mb of RAM

Should be adequate.  I assume you reinstalled anti-virus.
It's unclear why it would be so slow immediately after a reinstall.
Next do disk cleanup with:  CCleaner
Do the cleaner tab once and the registry tab a few times until it's less than 1 or 2 items.
Then do a disk defrag with:  Defraggler

Inspiron 5100 Owner's Manual

The HD might not be clean.

Use the Task Manager to view all applications and processes.

There might be one or two processes using all the CPU.  We don't know how much  free Ram that you have or can recover.

Make sure your anti virus is working.  

Clean the registry:

http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/center/cleanup.htm

Older  machines take quite awhile to boot.  Make  sure the CPU is near zero before using personal applications.

Good Luck

The CPU jumps between 5% to 15%.  but doesn't go over 15% (at the moment)  I typically just have my messenger and firefox running, and it's super slow loading most websites.  I know it's not the internet.  The HD was copletely wiped before I installed XP.  Just don't understand why it ran faster before it was wiped. 

I have the full version of AVG, it scans every morning, no problems there.

Firefox and IE have to "rebuild" the temporary files and will be slower loading websites.  I think Firefox may be more susceptable to this, but I run Firefox Portable, so it's not a fair comparison.  Surf around for a day or two and see if it speeds up.

I ran a test on a brand new install of Firefox Portable and it took forever to load anything.  Now, when I update, it only overwrites the executables and not the bookmarks or history or temp files.

1.  Installation Media.  What media did you reinstall Windows XP from:
     a.  Recovery/Restore Partition
     b.  OEM Recovery/Restore CD
     c.  OEM Install CD
     d.  Microsoft Retail Install CD

2.  Process Explorer.  Instead of Task Manager, use the program Microsoft should have provided - Process Explorer from SysInternals (now owned by Microsoft).  It will give you a better view of what's going on with your system.  Look for processes and/or services that don't need to be running.  (In other words review and cleanup list of third party software that automatically runs at system startup.)

3.  Autoruns.  The Autoruns program from SysInternals is one of many "free" programs you may use to control what runs at system startup.  (Or you can use "Startup" tab of Microsoft utility "msconfig".  Access via "Start -> Run -> type "msconfig", select OK -> select Startup tab".)

[Moderator]

You said you downloaded and installed all of the drivers, but did you first install the chipset driver?