To keep it going with out to much problems,
I use Norton, Free Adaware, delete cookies and temp files, and defrag.
Do all once a week and you will be fine!!
I have 1 brand new build 1.8 ghz, 1 Emachine 2.5 ghz, 2 years old, and 2, 500 mhz HP's 6 years old and, a 233 mhz Laptop 8 years old.
All scream on high speed Comcast with a Linksys router
I run 5 computers here in my house,
I have shown my friend all this in his office,
they use to go and get new computers every 2 years or so, Now they have computers that are 5 years old, and they run 20 of them on a wireless set up I put in for him.
I will say that Ram makes a huge difference!! Its a cheap easy upgrade and makes a world of difference!!
all machines IMO should be no less then 256 but better at 512 ram!!
My two old HP's have 256 , Laptop max's out at 160 and is at the max, the emachine is 512 and the new build is 1 gig!!