would like to make a really laptop (somewhat) functional

[rkinner]

You would think txt would be an allowed extension. Can you zip up the file? Perhaps that will work.

The Process Explorer log shows Windows Defender is using up too much CPU. Perhaps it is running a scan? Some version of ZA would replace Defender with malware. Start FRST, Put MsMpEng.exe in the Search box and hit Search Files. You should get a notepad file showing what it found. Please Copy and Paste.

[dwm34]

Hi - ok, I tried something different for the Speccy file, and I think it worked - it should be attached here. Thanks -

[dwm34]

Hi - ok, here is the latest FRST - seems pretty short, but what do I know -

Farbar Recovery Scan Tool (x86) Version: 06-08-2017
Ran by Patricia Murphy (06-08-2017 11:03:30)
Running from C:\Documents and Settings\Patricia Murphy\My Documents\Downloads
Boot Mode: Normal

================== Search Files: “MsMpEng.exe” =============

C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MsMpEng.exe
[2006-11-03 19:19][2006-11-03 19:19] 000013592 _____ (Microsoft Corporation) F45DD1E1365D857DD08BC23563370D0E [File is digitally signed]

====== End of Search ======

[rkinner]

Speccy doesn’t look too bad. It’s running about normal temp for a laptop. Your hard drive has a few errors but loks like it’s not too bad.

The search found what it was supposed to. msmpeng.exe is legit so perhaps it was only doing a scan when we looked with Process Explorer. Make a new processor explorer log and post it. Let’s see if it still shows msmpeng.exe eating up the CPU.

You are going to need a new browser so check out

http://alternativeto.net/list/updated-web-browsers-for-windows-xp

and try one or two. Oracle is probably the closest to what you are used to.

As far as anti-virus I use Avast but I’ve heard that sometimes it doesn’t work right on XP. I’ve seen Panda recommended:

http://www.pandasecurity.com/usa/homeusers/solutions/free-antivirus/