I want to try speed up an old system

Hi i'm running a really old laptop while i wait for my new one and after getting the old hal.dll corrupt message and not being able to fix it i put in a new HD with xp. Just wondered if anyone knows of a really quick fix (freeware program like freeram xp pro) to make it run faster. It's 191Mb RAM so nothing special. Any suggestions would be nice

 

What OS?

 

I will suggest Windows 2000.

 

or if you feel up to it, you can install ubuntu linux or some other type...people say linux runs real efficient on older systems.

 

i noticed that AVG 8 was running very high ram so will give 7.5 a try. I know XP is taxing but im not running hardly anything with it so ill try cut down with the thing you guys suggested. thanks.

 

You can disable services that you don't need in XP to trim down its usage of RAM/processor. Just Google the services before you disable them, as some are vital to basic functionality, and disable one at a time and test.

You can also go to Add/Remove Programs, click Windows Components (I believe is the term... if not, it's Windows Programs or something) on the left side of the dialog window, and remove Windows programs you don't want as well. Some of those have background services that you might be better off without.