all applications runing slow but yet almost no cpu usage

i am running windows xp pro and i have all programs running slow both on start up and run

occasionaly they comp will over load freeze for a minute and restart explorer.exe
and in the process screws up all my icons on task bar i dont know if these are in any way related.

any and all help welcome

(ps - mods if this is in wrong spot plz move)

 

Could it be that you're short on memory?

 

i thought of that i have a 37.2gig hard drive with 11.4 gigs free my dad has 7+ gigs reserved for him so i cant get best outa memory but i dont hink its the memory im always defraginh and virus scaning my computer when i go to bed so i dont think its any of those things

 

Memory generally refers to RAM (Random Access Memory). On XP right-click My Computer and select Properties. It will tell you how much RAM you have installed.

Less than 512MB for XP could be slowing things up.

 

ya it must be the ram it says i have 256 mb of ram is there any way to increase ram without adding hardwere im kinda dirt poor comp we got for free lol