hey doods...help please?

i have basic computer..windows-xp-home(sp2)...aol...basic dial-up modem...what single software/program would actually increase my internet performance?? there are so many programs out there claiming to work..i have tried many in the past only a couple have worked..wondering what you people would suggest i try..also i dont know if anyone saw my last post..i have 256mb ram but after every boot-up i check through system information my ram is usually 256 physical ram and 90-95 available physical ram...where is my ram going and how can i get it back??...could you people help me with both questions??please....