computer so slow

Hi PattiChati and welcome back. Your last post was back in Dec-2010 - Have you been living with this same problem for the last 5 months?
Ok, a couple of things first. In order for anyone to help you, we ask that you fill in your system specs. for us. At this stage we don't know if you are working with a 1970's computer or a new super fast rocket.
Secondly, if you removed Microsoft Security Essentials, then you currently have NO REALTIME PROTECTION. Unless of course you have another antivirus program installed as well. Two antivirus programs installed = bad news.
Finally, did this particular system EVER perform to your satisfaction. Please get back to us.
Regards
JohnnyA
EDIT

Ok, I'm confused. It seems that you have another tread going called Slow Performance and you are currently posting in both? You also have been asked several times in both threads to post your specs. so that our members can assist you. Failing that, count me out.

Sorry Macgyvr but the OP has been asked several times to supply his System Specs including Ram.

Ignatzatsonic "Please fill out your system specs so we know what we are dealing with. Hard to tell when we don't know what you have. "

Indianacarnie "What kind of system do you have? Memory - HDD - OS Etc. "

Keiichi25 "The main thing you will have to understand, however, is that we will also sometimes need to know more about your system. Your system specs only state your OS. "

JohnnyA "Ok, a couple of things first. In order for anyone to help you, we ask that you fill in your system specs. for us. At this stage we don't know if you are working with a 1970's computer or a new super fast rocket.

Patti did post her info - just not in the way some of the old-timers here expected:

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System Information
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Time of this report: 5/19/2011, 21:08:47
Machine name: PATTY-PC
Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 32-bit (6.1, Build 7600) (7600.win7_gdr.110408-1633)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Dell Inc.
System Model: Vostro 220 Series
BIOS: Default System BIOS
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU E7400 @ 2.80GHz (2 CPUs), ~2.8GHz
Memory: 3072MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 3036MB RAM
Page File: 1392MB used, 4679MB available

Card name: Intel(R) G45/G43 Express Chipset
Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
Chip type: Intel(R) 4 Series Express Chipset Family
DAC type: Internal
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2E22&SUBSYS_02831028&REV_03
Display Memory: 1326 MB
Dedicated Memory: 64 MB
Shared Memory: 1262 MB
Current Mode: 1680 x 1050 (32 bit) (59Hz)


This thread got off to a bad start, and has not really improved from the OP's viewpoint, I'm sure.

She doesn't want to "start over", and I can understand that.

So Patti, my first advice - create a new user and logon as that user, if you can, make it an account with administrative privileges, and a good password.

(a good password should be a mix of upper and lowercase characters, punctuation symbols and numbers, and the longer the stronger it is. It should also be hard to forget and easy to type, not readily looked up from any source as a whole. Not written down in an obvious place. I could use AMD(64)Athlon-X2 - it's more or less staring me in the face on my laptop keyboard. De11/V05tro-22o or some variation springs to mind for you.)

Is the new logon system response any different than the old one?

Startup time - faster, same?
Application time - faster, same?
Internet browsing - faster, same?

If there is an improvement in any area, then there is housekeeping to do on the old user account - a general cleanup - old files, old internet stuff, desktop, shortcuts etc.

But first a backup, and a backup plan if things do turn bad, and a new system restore point at the very least.

After that, it may be a case of removing unused programs, (uninstalling them thoroughly) perhaps even stopping updated drivers and stopping services and autorunning startup programs that you don't really need.

One of the best free tools is CCleaner - Optimization and Cleaning - Free Download for removing stuff that hangs around. Another old favourite of mine is Official ToniArts EasyCleaner page. - both find stuff that the other misses. Ask for help if you need it using these.

Run any cleanup tools as an administrator, but logged on as the user in the old account for best effect.

Indexing may be slowing things up. Turn it off and see. There may be more than one indexing program going.

You have a large page file 1/4 used. Turn it off, reboot, defragment using Puran Defrag Trial and Free Edition Download at boottime. After rebooting, reset the pagefile as a maximum2GB, minimum 1GB.

Thats enough to keep you going for now