[Growurfood]

Greetings,

What a great site!

I've learned a lot here, so much that I'm somewhat confused as to where to start.
The net/net problem is that the family computer systems performance sucks and seems to be getting worse: The network between the two systems is squirrelly (some doc folders show up as RAW and I can't access them from the other computer); Web access is slowing down; Programs are freezing intermittently; Non-response errors are frequent, and when I shut down, I see some kind or memory error flash by before the system shuts down. To make matters works, I shelled out $100 to a local IT guy with little results. Should have spent the money at the pub.

Background:

I have two systems; one running XP-pro and the other XP-home. One is a Dell, the other from a lesser known provider (Champaign Computer)
Both are configured with 4 users, had Norton Internet Secruity 2006 until a week ago, now I have Norton 360.

I attribute some of the performance problems possibly to Norton (learned that here). I thought about running a reg cleaner but learned that's not a good idea either. I suspect other problems started to occur when my teen found Myspace and audio streaming (I set some parental controls but she found ways around them with web proxies. I also installed an external HDD (FreeAgent Pro with Memeo BU software, Memeo seems to burden the system). Virus scans come up clean.

I am not sure if I am dealing with application conflicts, unseen infections, piggy programs or hardware/firmware issues.

Questions:

Should I try to fix my systems by running the assorted diagnostics recommended on this site or should I just reinstall XP and other apps?

If I go with the reinstall, besides data files, what else do I need to back up for restoration later?

If I go with the diagnostics, where should I start?

I was thinking of removing N360 from one system to see it that's the source of performance problems. If so, which anti-virus and other security measures should I take during the test?

Hope this isn't to big of a call for help. I know just enough cyberese to get into trouble. Any help will be appreciated.

Thanks.