I have posted 2 related memory questions before, but this may be the most critical.

I start up my computer. It takes 20 seconds to get to the Windows XP loading screen and then another 15 to get to the logon screen. I logon, it takes 5 minutes for my computer to come to a rest from loading applications. I open up Task Manager as soon as I log in. It says 487MB Commit Charge (which is memory usage, right?) when loading. I only have the bare essentials in Startup (ZoneAlarm Suite, Norton Protection Center, ATI driver, keyboard driver, mouse driver, and Windows OneCare). My CPU usage is high all the time (even when listening to Winamp only) and Motherboard Monitor 5 reports CPU temp above 70°C on a DFI NB72-SC motherboard.

All my XP performance settings are set to Best Performance (so all visual effects are off) and all I have is a skimpy wallpaper and a downloaded theme for XP.

How can I make boot time faster, my logon-to-rest time (time until XP stops loading stuff) faster, and my memory and CPU usage a lot lower? 500MB is a hell of a lot of memory usage for a computer that isn't doing anything yet.

Thank you,
Josh

Install Cacheman program to check for true RAM level usage.Make sure the computer is well vented:leave a few inches all around.Install a case fan close to the power supply fan at the back.Check the computer for malware with an Antivirus full scan and Spybot plus AdAware full scan.Performance of programs to check RAM usage varies and I found that Cacheman is good for the job.Overheating on a Pentium will make the CPU slow down.Your motherboard model DFI NB72-SC is a socket 478 CPU based computer.Good luck.

Of the stuff you have listed, all you REALLY need is the anti-v & ZoneAlarm. Hit Ctrl-Alt-Del to bring up Task Manager...how many items are listed? Have you run MSCONFIG & disabled unnecessary programs from laoding at startup? Have you run a spyware scan?

Hellz Yea!

"it takes 5 minutes for my computer to come to a rest from loading applications."

You need to test the HDD for errors, because that is really abnormal.

There is only one satisfying way to boot a computer.

To add to what Sabertooth said, check that you have a 80 conductor IDE cable, and that your HDD is defragmented. If fragmentation ever gets to about 30%, disk access becomes really slow. Best to keep fragmentation below 5%.

With a Win98SE box, I'd recommend installing this free stuff:

FreeRAM XP Pro - to monitor memory and CPU usage. You need v1.51.

Fresh Diagnose and Fresh UI - to optimize your system.