Windows XP Computer Overall Slow, Freezing & Locking Up.

So, what should I do then?

Pretty much what I already said.

I will re-phrase it.

(Plus I have some new info, too.)

Here are the specs for the PC:

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&docname=c00232962

This PC is not very new, so its top speed will not come close to today's PCs.

That being said, it appears you have one remaining slot for RAM on your motherboard, so you may purchase the 512 MB stick I mentioned earlier in the thread. It may not make a noticeable difference, though. That is, if you configure MSE a certain way, that might be all you need to do to maximize your performance.

However, if you don't mind spending $20 or so, purchase this stick of RAM:

http://www.crucial.com/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=65B39C24A5CA7304

(The other link from p.8 of this thread you may disregard.)

Of course, you would need to open the case and CAREFULLY pop this into place next to your other stick of RAM.

Perhaps you might want to hold off ordering the RAM as a last resort.

The other thing you can do is configure MSE to not automatically scan OR to have it automatically scan at 3:00 AM. Just right-click the MSE icon in the System Tray (lower right-hand corner of your screen, right next to the clock) and click on Open. Then click on the Settings tab.

Either change the setting so that it scans overnight (like at 3:00 AM) or just uncheck the box so that it NEVER automatically scans (you or your mother can choose to manually scan anytime you feel like). The first option will work as long as the PC is ALWAYS on. Otherwise, just uncheck the box.

MSE always automatically updates (which is a good thing!). And by default, Real-Time Protection is always on (and I do NOT think you should turn it off!).

SUMMARY:

1. You have already done all the important things. You scanned for malware. You uninstalled Norton (which is a resource and RAM hog) and replaced it with the superior MSE. You verified the hard drive transfer mode is still DMA.
2. There is not much else you can do at this point. You can change MSE's settings so it does not constantly run automatic scans.
3. You can always purchase more memory. It may or may not help.

That's about it, Mark!

EDIT:

One final idea:

I have found that Google Chrome is a fast browser. Arguably it is better than Internet Explorer and even Firefox. You might want to install this and have your mother use it to browse the Web.

Here is the link:

https://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/browser/

Good luck to you both!

Ok. Thanks. Now, what about the video streaming though? How do I resolve that?

I still do not know what you mean by "video streaming through." Earlier in this thread, you seemed to think that that had something to do with this page:

http://winhlp.com/node/10

Yes, it does mention that PIO mode leads to "slow data transfer, accompanied by high processor load, leading, for example, to a choppy video display."

But we have already determined that your hard drive's transfer mode never did slip from DMA to PIO mode. So there is no issue.

Or are you referring to something else?

No. That. When I watch a video game stream on twitch.tv like Madden NFL 13 or NHL 13, the video is inconsistent. It doesn't go normal in the feed. The feed jumps. The video is not consistent. Do you know what I mean?