Slow computer

[Yak]

Ok, everytime i opened my Internet Explorer it takes longer than it used to. the rest of my computer seems to be ging slow to. like opening games and folders and opening music and whatnot.  I checked windows updates and i have already gotten all available updates so there is nothing left to download. I did everything that i was supposed to do that this link told me to do.
 
http://www.computerhope.com/forum/index.php/topic,46313.0.html

My System:
Microsoft Windows XP
Media Center Edition
Version 2002
Service pack 3

Computer:
Intel(R) Pentium(R) CPU 3.00GHz
2.99 GHz, 3.00 GB of RAM

[Saving space - attachment deleted by admin]

[CBMatt]

I don't really see much of anything in your logs.  There were a couple of infected files, but you should be clean now.  Download CCleaner (install without Yahoo! toolbar) and configure it according to this guide.

Also, you don't appear to have any anti-virus or sufficient firewall.  It's very important to have these, and if you need help finding good programs, just let me know and I'll give you a few tips.

[Yak]

I'm going to configure CCleaner according to your guide in aminute and then wait a day or two to see if the internet explorer is opening any faster and if everything else is too. also read on some other forum that dust in the computer causes problems. i havent actually opened my computer any so no doubt there is dust... could that be causing me to go slow opening things? and yes i do actually have antivirus and firewall...     i have norton 360 Version 2.4.0.4   Completly updated and everything.  i installed it about... 3 months ago maybe.  the comp started going slow and 1 and half or 2 months ago.  could norton be the problem? it hasnt really givin me any trouble tho.

[CBMatt]

Dust can slow things down somewhat, but usually not significantly.  Still, it is a good idea to dust out your computer with a can of compressed air every couple of months or so.

I can see a few Symantec entries in your log, but I didn't notice Norton on there.  It must've slipped by me.  In any case...Norton is notorious for causing people's computers to slow down.  It's a major resource hog and we generally recommend removing it.  And I will recommend the same for you.  If you'd like to remove Norton, check out this link...
http://www.computerhope.com/forum/index.php/topic,34939.0.html

I would suggest replacing it with a free anti-virus such as AVG or Avast! and using a free firewall such as Sunbelt Kerio or Comodo.

[Yak]

Yea, everything is still going slow.  things semed to open a little faster but not much.  for antivurus u suggested AVG, i was looking at it and theres the AVG Internet Security thats antivirus and firewall.  i'd preffer something that has both instead of having to use 2 completly different programs for both. is that one good? i was reading it and it said "AVG only runs on Windows 2000 SP4 + Update Rollup 1, Windows XP SP2, Windows XP Pro x64 Edition SP1 and Windows Vista/Vista x64 Edition or higher." I have windows XP SP3.  does that mean since I have SP3 it won't work for me then? 
I have an external hard drive and all the time in the world so i was thinking of reformatting and redoing windows. hopefully everything should start going faster..at least it better.

[CBMatt]

You removed Norton and things are still running slow?  You may want to consider doing some heavy-duty clean-up.  Of course, if you would rather reformat, that's entirely up to you.  It's not the route I would personally take, but it's not a bad idea.  Many people feel quite refreshed after reformatting.

If you would like to use the AVG combo, it should work on your computer without any problems.  Aside from a few security updates, SP3 is the same as SP2.  They probably just forgot to update the info on their site.