Hello and big thanks to FastGame, piaqt, and cash_site!
How much system memory do you have ? and how much is being used ?

Make sure no programs (except AV & Firewall) are starting up with windows.

Use a lighter running AV (Dr Web, F-Prot, AVG), or trun off the real time scanning in Symantec and use on-demand only.
FastGame, I have 128MB which came with the computer. Is tnis the hard drive memory? The pink picture somewhere in my comp. shows about 2 thirds or so available. I've disabled Norton's in/outgoing email scanning. As to starting up with windows, I should uncheck ALL programs except AV & firewall? Also uncheck system files? When Norton/Symantec accomplishes getting me insane...I intend to get AVG.
See attached for backing up the registry.
piaqt, thanks so much for the link on how to backup the much feared registry. I hope to first fix and clean up my comp. as much as possible, then backup everything and then change my OS...
Perhaps a MemTest will help determine if the Memory modules are starting to die out... after a few years they could be unstable.
cash_site, thank you for the idea of a MemTest. Where and how do I do it? At MemTest.com? This is great since if it's dying out then I won't waste my time and that of all of you kind souls.

When it goes belly up...I'll go to internet cafes, I can't cope with all of these "hi tech" headaches...Again thank you all so much! Adela