Assuming XP SP2 make sure that5 you have at least 512MB RAM. Next defragment your hard drive. Delete out all programs that you don't use any more.
Finally if you have skill to recognise what it vital to your PC's startup and what are just stubs put there by applications to make them run faster you could use a utility to clear out the stubs. If you don't know what you are doing however you can do a great deal of damage. However if you feel able to do this put a new post on and I'll list some utilities.
T
April 2007