Why two Windows Folders in Local Disc?

what does device manager say on this hardware?

you  can uniinstall it and then reboot and let windows find it again.

by router do you mean what your dsl company installs for you to get internet?

mine does not show up ...

did you install a antivirus? 

did you install sp3?

are you fully updated at Microsoft windows update?

go here for services to see if you have all the ones necessary started:

http://www.blackviper.com/service-configurations/black-vipers-windows-xp-x86-32-bit-service-pack-3-service-configurations/

Device manager shows no errors. Is it really safe to delete Device Manager and how do I do it? I could do a system restore I suppose in case things go wrong.

By router, I mean the HUAWEI HG523a broadband Wireless N160 ADSL2+ which my ISP supplied recently. I used to use a HUAWI Smartax MT882  broadband modem. My XP is ethernet wired to the router.

I have already installed antivirus, Sp3 and all updates offered.

There are a few services such as Remote Assistance and others I might not need and may disable a couple mentioned by Blackviper.

Just one point I have noticed is that my my Vista laptop, even when wirelessly connected, is able to download quickly without freezing as does my Wife's Windows 7 desktop. Does this help to solve my problem?

not delete device manager,

uninstall the hardware, but if the hardware is listed as working properly, then no do not uninstall.

what you can do is reset your router, turn off for 5 mins and then turn back on.

is the device Internet gateway part of the router supplied by your ISP?

you might call them, ask why your internet is sluggish.

malware will do this, do the following:

Download, install, update and do full scan with these free malware detection programs:

Malwarebytes (MBAM):   http://www.malwarebytes.org/products/malwarebytes_free

SUPERAntiSpyware: (SAS):  http://www.superantispyware.com/

Remove all found, reboot, and run again until scans run clean, these can be removed afterwards if you so choose.

also in device manager, go to view in the top toolbar and choose show hidden devices, are there any errors now?

no errors in event viewer?

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/help/internet-explorer/slow-five-tips-to-boost-performance

you can try the first 4 steps here.

will look for more.

Thanks for your perseverance. There are no errors showing in Device Manager event viewer, so I'll give that a miss.

The Gateway icon has disappeared and must have been to do with the new router. I now have :-

Local Area Connection - showing status enabled, connected, firewalled,

1394 connection - showing status disabled,

Internet Connection - showing disconnected,

Broadband Connection - showing disconnected, firewalled.

Could the last item be the wireless connection for my Vista laptop which is networked to my XP? If so, it still shows disconnected along with the Internet Connection even when the laptop is on. Does this look normal?

Unfortunately, I cannot perform any downloads for the Malware. They all freeze.

If all else fails, I'll try the reset, which according to Talktalk might become a bit involved.

Hmmmm, I have not worked with networks, here is the link for Vista and Networking problemsL

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_vista-networking?tab=unanswered&tm=1359561652078

Please, post another question there with reference to this thread. (just right click on the address bar, copy, and in the question box, right click and paste)

That would be for networking.

However, if you disconnect the other pc, Is XP okay?

If we can get xp up and away, then can work on the networking.