my computer is very very slow

[hellboy]

i got my compaq laptop about a year ago and it was working fine but now it's performance has declined. it takes between 10 - 15 secs and even more for the computer to open a programme. i can not access my users account, it would not open so now i can not change my pass word. i will appreciate it if anyone can help me.thank you.

[TotalRecall]

Try booting into safe mode (bring up the start up menu by pressing F8 after system POST but before Windows begins to load the GUI). From there, stop any unnecessary programs from starting up. In the case of a laptop, some sort of power profile would be considered necessary but you may want to disable it for troubleshooting.

While you're there, a scandisc and defrag may help.

[Antti2004]

And also run a registry cleaner. :)