Extremely slow pc

Recently I noticed my computer was running extremely slow. I could not run more then 1 application at a time and when I tried to pull up task manager to see what was draining, it took 2-3 minutes for it to pull up. I formated my c: drive, reinstalled my restore CD, performed a scan disk, defragment, virus scan and spyware. It is still running very slow so I performed a memory test. Mem86 and a processor test. Everything seems to check out. I am now running a Western Digital diagnostic test which is only supposed to take 30minutes to an hour is taking 26 hours to run. What could be making my PC work so slow and inefficient?

I am running Windows Xp media
Intel dual core 6400 @ 2100 GHZ
3300 mb ram
direct x 9
Radeon X1300 video card 512 mb
SB X-hi fi 1000 sound card

Any suggestions appreciated

 

Welcome to Major Geeks.
If this machine has been used for some time, there may be more programs loading at Startup and in the background than is needed.
Can you give a listing of your Startup so we can get it pared down some?

 

Well, you said it right there, either bad drive or bad controller. Try connecting the drive to another SATA port. Any warnings from SMART or device manager on anything?

 

Here are the programs that load on start up.

Ehtray
CTHelper
Ctxfhilp
CLI
HPwuSchd2
HP Digital imaging
Microsoft office.

Like I said, I formated the hard drive so there shouldnt be anything loading that is not supposed to be. I dont get any error or warning messages. I just want to mention that the hard drive diagnostic that I am running currently on C: drive which is taking 20 hours only took 1 hour on my D: drive. Both drives are identical.

 

All of those can be removed from Startup. They are non-essentials.
Firewall, AV, and antispyware is all I have for Startup.

 

Well, install XP on your second drive then after backing up your important stuff. Just to make sure here, you used DataLifeGuard for Windows right? How about using the bootable DOS version then? There is obviously something wrong with your C drive.

 

In Task Manager, what shows as using the most CPU and memory?

 

Whats strange is that task manager doesnt show anything extreme using my CPU and memory. The highest I've seen it go to was 10%.....50% when running the diagnostic. As far as memory goes 299/5209. Unless I get any objections, I think I will unplug my C: drive and install XP on my D: drive and see what happens. I am just curious as to why Chkdsk would not find anything wrong or any bad clusters on the C: drive. Technology...got to love it LOL

 

CHKDSK will not find problems with drive controllers etc.