[stuartwood89]

Try upgrading your RAM, which will help to a certain extent. You could also try upgrading your motherboard and processor, but it's easier to just buy a new PC.

Do a virus scan, and also check for spyware as well. Go to Add/Remove Programs in Control Panel and remove absolutely anything that you don't need anymore. If you have a lot of files that you don't use anymore but might need to in the future, compress them into ZIP/RAR archives. And the usual defrag/chkdisc as well.

So that's the hard drive cleared up a bit, which will help a little.

Now what you need to do is prevent all the programs that you don't even use, but still run in the background from starting up in the first place. Examples of such programs include Nero, Windows Live Messenger (only run it when you need it) InterVideo manager etc.

You can prevent these programs from opening by accessing the settings of each program and unchecking the box that says something like 'Run when Windows starts', as well as 'Show icon in Notification Area/System Tray'. Most programs will allow you to do this. Other's you will have to edit the registry *risky* but you can get a few tools to make it easier (regcleaner for example).

Failing that, reinstall Windows. If you haven't done that since you got it, then the OS has been on your drive for nearly 7 years. After a certain amount of time Windows will start to slow down, so you need to back everything up and start again. Some people do it on a yearly basis (myself included, but not always by choice)

Hope that helps.