dell dimension 2350 runs slow and erratic

[shashgo]

its running windows xp.  I know it has a bunch of viruses on  there.  I tried to run an antivirus on there, spybot, avira, all those free ones.  But spybot doesnt even start.  I tried to run hijackthis, that also doesnt start.  Whats more the desktop screen says "your active desktop failed to load", press here to restart your active desktop.  When I click the button, I get a popup that says "this page cannot run any scripts. do you want to continue running scripts?"  And lately the computer seems to be freezing.

What do I do?

[Method_One]

Save all of your stuff and reinstall XP.

[shashgo]

will do, but how do you backup the applications like word or powerpoint or pinnacle

[patio]

Can't...programs have to be re-installed...

[Broni]

Is the computer operable in Safe Mode?

[shashgo]

yes, i can get into safe mode.  I am going to reinstall the OS, but I was just wondering if , in addition to the data, it was possible to also back up the actual applications.  I guess the only way to back up the applications would be to clone the hard drive, but then that would mean copying the viruses and stuff as well, so I guess the applications will have to go  and maybe rinstalled afterwards from disks

[Broni]

If the computer is operable in Safe Mode....

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