PC takes a long time to boot up 1

[gearhead03]

My brother has a Dell Diminsion 3100.
P4 256MB RAM
Windows XP SP2
It takes a very long time to boot up. I have checked the start up items and there doesn't appear to be any spyware. It has also had SpySweeper running on it since it was new.
He also runs McAfee anti-virus and site watch.
I turn Spysweeper's "load at startup" off but it didn't help much.
I think that it is Mcafee that is causing the problem.
Has anyone else had this type of problem using this program?
i was going to just disable it to see if it helped but I couldn't find a way to do it without completely uninstalling it.
I was also thinking that maybe it just needs more RAM.

Any thoughts?

Mark A. Kale

 

[ATLMatt]

Steps to alleviate this problem, based on the fact that you've checked the usual suspects for slow performance, and RAM is cheap.

1. Find out what type of RAM the PC uses,
-> if it is RD RAM, try all of the above and if that doesn't work start PC shopping. If it is DDR, proceed to step two.

2. Otherwise, go to your favorite on-line whole sale computer parts store.

3. Buy a 512mb module for around $30-40, -or- a 2 module package of 256s or 512s for $40-60. *

4. Make your brother buy you a nice cup of coffee for installing it and thus greatly increasing his PC's performance and useful life.

*prices are estimated USD, most retail stores in my area charge big markups for memory.