You could try upgrading the CPU and memory. But you should think about a new system. Separate Security Issue: Update your '''[http://get.adobe.com/reader/ Adobe Reader Version 2015.016.20039]''' '''Note: Other Software''' is offered in the download.

# IMO, don't spend a dime on trying to update that old laptop, the results won't be worth the money you spend. # Put that money towards a new computer; maybe last years model that is being clearanced out for new models. ''Unless the retail scene has changed in the last couple of years since I left "retail", May is when many office supply stores get the new model PC's and cut the price to get rid of the old stock. Stores like Staples and OfficeMax/Depot''. # From what I have seen advertised in the local newspaper a "special priced, on sale" ''(not a clearance model which usually aren't advertised)'' can be had for $330 to $400. # Or consider a tablet device instead of a laptop. # Then there's refurbished desktop PC's to consider. The "specs" won't be in the same league as a new computer, a new laptop, or a new tablet, but you would get "more hardware" and a more modern operating system that is still supported. -------------- * First off, WinXP hasn't gotten any security fixes for over two years now - '''it isn't safe to use anymore!''' And from what I have read recently, Firefox support may end before the end of 2016. And already there's a problem installing that last couple of new Firefox versions on both XP and Vista OS's when they lack a specific update. * "76% of the memory still available" - I can only guess that you mean hard drive space. And if you are using Firefox to access your "email" that "email" is coming to you via a "webmail" website which is where your "email" is stored - not stored '''on''' that laptop. * No one uses only 1/4 (24%) of their RAM - Random Access Memory. And most WinXP era laptops topped-out at 1GB of RAM unless it was the top of the line model. ''IMO'' And that is the important thing these days * 2 GB RAM is "bottom of the barrel" these days and for me on WinXP ''(up until a year ago)'' it was barely adequate, IMO. ''Now I am using Windows 7 with 4GB RAM which works much better, but it is still "showing its age" on a few "media rich" websites. ------------------- As far as what you can do with what you have to "buy some time" - normal maintenance: # defrag the hard drive to get all the file sectors in a continuous cluster - that should speed things up quite a bit # full anti-virus scan # thoroughly "cleaning" with multiple Anti-Malware programs You can use these free programs to scan for malware, which work with your existing antivirus software. They all have been available as a free "trial" version ''(last time I checked)'' or are free for limited-personal use. They are listed in the order of efficacy. You should use them all as they don't look for the same types of Malware. * [http://www.malwarebytes.org/products/malwarebytes_free/ MalwareBytes' Anti-Malware] * [http://support.kaspersky.com/viruses/disinfection/5350 Anti-Rootkit Utility - TDSSKiller] * [http://general-changelog-team.fr/en/downloads/viewdownload/20-outils-de-xplode/2-adwcleaner AdwCleaner] (for more info, see this [http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/adwcleaner/ alternate AdwCleaner download page]) * [http://www.surfright.nl/en/hitmanpro/ Hitman Pro] * [http://www.eset.com/us/online-scanner/ ESET Online Scanner] Further information can be found in the [[Troubleshoot Firefox issues caused by malware]] article.