Poorly maintained PC

[basicandclear]

As a totally inexperienced user I have never cleaned my PC
Since finding this Forum (to improve my ability) I  now need your expertise to assist me to repair the following problems
My PC is very slow to start
I continually have programs that Do not Respond
Am warned of Errors and need to Debug
Sometimes have Error 800AO1A8 displayed
Through your Forum I have recognised the problems that exist and seek your expertise to advise me of the bestbest cleaning tools to eliminate these errors
I am operating

Windows XP Professional
Version 5.1.2600
Service pack 3

Ram256 MB

AMD Sempron 2600+
Version x86Family6model 8stepping 1
Speed1833MHz

I hope I have given you enough information to resolve my problem

Many thanks in anticipation

Joss C

[patio]

The very first thing you should consider would be to add more RAM to that machine...
I suggest a minimum of another 512MG stick to take you up to 768 which is a nice comfort zone for running XP...
Travel to Crucial.com and enter your machine's info for the type of RAM it will take.
You don't have to buy it from them but you will know exactly what to shop for.

Besides RAM is relatively inexpensive right know and is the best performance bang for the buck....

Post back and let us know.

[basicandclear]

Thanks Patio
Be patient ,I will reply
Joss C

[basicandclear]

Many thanks for your excellent advise ,Patio
I discarded the 256MB and installed 1 GB
The transformation was immediate for a cost of £35
 I was anticipating a cost of £400 +If I hadn't found Computerhope .com
and such sound advise from yourself

Many thanks Patio

Joss C

[Dead_reckon]

If you continue to have problems, one solution would be to backup anything important and re-install windows on your machine. Windows often kills its self after a few months of use, though some people put up with a crippled operating system for years until it won't boot anymore. Then they send it too some shop that charges them an insane amount to re-install windows. Be wary of PC repair shops, they will try to sell you everything they can most of the time, some don't, but they are few and far between.

[patio]

Glad to hear it worked out for you and Welcome to CH !