Computer Really Acting Up

Have had computers, now have 7, since Nov 1998. Have had all the usual now & then glitches. But now the Gateway 7320G laptop from 3-5-2005 DOP is slow, like 2-3 minutes for folder to open, freezes, programs and windows not responding, cant shutdown or go into standby, cursor is hourglass, no window comes up and keep clicking then 10 or more windows come up not responding and have to close them all. Never had all these problems until after installing trial version of Malwarebytes 3.0. I don,t say this is the cause and I do not know but DO know I had none of these problems, as bad, or as consistently until after MB3 so I just after much work got it to uninstall. Now I will watch it. The hard drive is 70GB and is less than half full...maybe 33GB used and 36 free. Have not done any cleanup like defrag, compressing, defragging or other things in a long time ...only using it.
Have the usual slowness or mild issues once in awhile as I have posted but not like this and they ususally are brief and I attribute to traffic on Verizon wireless or other unknown things.Could this PC just be wearing out? Have never had one wear out before but my brother had a hard drive just "die".
Any suggestions on what to try if removing the software doesnt improve things. Some of the other isuues before have also occurred at same time with the Dell 5040 Window 7 on same desk, and if both do it I figure it is not the PC, but this is only the XP and not the rest.
Thought I would post it to see if any explanation or advice.

 

Seems improved ALREADY.

 

Here are some ways of speeding up your XP, Bill.

 

Wouldn't running CHKDSK confirm or eliminate that possibility? Tony.

 

What are you using the computer for?

How much RAM and how is the swap file configured and size?

Yes Dougie a CHKDSK would help.

Would runt the cleaning program (Disk Clean Up) that came with windows. Make sure to tick all of the boxes to clean. Also clear out the old backups.

Unless you have turned off the automatic defrag then YES do one may help and could take a while for it to complete.

The slowness could also be attributed to programs that are running in the back ground, HDD going out, virus, malware, so on so forth.

 

May be unnecessary stuff running at Start-up, as well. Run CCleaner, too.

 

Found issue with mouse also. Battery was good but white depesits on the spring at (-) end. Was going to try and clean battery which also had white deposits but decided best to use new battery. After running disk cleanup and removing the MWB trial and changing mouse battery seems to work a lot better. Have read that trial programs often have bugs and issues and cause trouble.
Know where I can get the previous MWB version 2? No problems with IT. CCleaner is working well and I avoid the registry cleaner on it and all else. And I try to keep Startup Programs pretty skeletal.

Edit: forget the old versions. I found some but not sure which one I had.

 

"White deposits" is corrosion. Batteries in that condition sure should be replaced, maybe even a bit overdue by then..

Does seem rare & surprising to have issues caused by Mwb.

Glad you are seeing some improvement. & you seem to have awareness to some 'best practices', already & that is always a nice edge to have.

 

Good mention (thumb up)

 

Have mbab 2.2.0.1024 on other laptop also. Never a problem. May try that on the XP. Likely the one I had prior to 3.0. Like I said, I have gotten away from "best practices" due to lack of spare time. Should get back to it. XP working well now.