[UK-CONTEST] Windows PC's slow down Why?

[Alex GM3ZBE]

Hi,
I use a Dell Inspiron laptop as my shack and contest computer.
I've always noticed with my various Windows PC's in the past, that over 
a period of time (2 or 3 years) they slow down.  My Dell Inspiron is 
beginning to show the same symptoms.  Usually I resort to wiping the 
disk and starting again which solves the problem.  I am talking about a 
real slow down here not just a perception due to my icreasing 
expectations with the passage of time.  For example, a PC which was 
taking 4.5 mins to boot up reduced to 1.5 mins after redoing the disk 
and reloading all the software.  I'm told, by a non ham PC person, this 
is to do with the "Windows Registry becoming clogged".  I don't even 
really know what that means but is there any software around which can 
do something about the problem without resorting to re formatting disks 
and reloading software?

Thanks
Alex, GM3ZBE

I run antivirus and anti malware s/ware and no virus or software 
problems are reported. Current O.S. is Windows XP Home.

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Alex, GM3ZBE ~~~~~Kingdom of Fife~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Member of:
De Montfort University ARS,
Kingdom Amateur Radio Society (KARS)
GMDX Group, CDXC, Aberdeen ARS
Previous callsigns G3ZBE, GM8BYG,
holder of GM4BRN club call.
Cushcraft MA5B review http://www.sonikblue.co.uk/g3zbe/Ma5b.htm 
 
Remember..............It's only a hobby!
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