Re: system is getting dog slow

Another thing you could check is in the device manager under IDE/ATAPI controllers /Primary/Advanced make sure the drive isn't set to PIO only. If it is reset to DMA if available.
Now under Computer in the device manager if it says Standard PC this will slow the computer drastically. It should say ACPI compliant. Unfortunatly to change the HAL(Hardware Abstraction Layer) means the right settings in the bios and a reinstall of windows.

Re: emachines T2642 board killed by bestec 250

I've had to replace the motherboard and PSU on more than a few of these EMachines and I just pick up whatever 845GL type Intel mATX board I can get my hands on(Dell even) and install a clean XP home with drivers for whatever board I'm using(Use the keycode from the EMachine case) and Microsoft always activates tho most times it requires a phone call.