XP Slow in normal boot okay in Debugging Mode

[inept]

My favorite place for information. This site has provided me with countless bits of great information over the years. I need your help again.

My build
XP Ver 2002 SP3
Gigabyte EX38-DQ6 MB
Intel E6750
2 GB RAM
2 320GB Seagate SATAII

System is 23 months old.


Was not paying attention as to what was running. Saw something on my taskbar that was running, some kind of update. Closed it without thinking.

Now, when running in normal boot, XP boots extremely slow, hangs on shutdown, and IE6 is not running very quick.

If I boot into "Debugging Mode", everything seems to be running like it should.

What may I have damaged/corrupted?

I would appreciate any directions to repair the situation.

I have thought of repairing XP or doing a clean install.

My current install is an upgrade from 98SE to ME to XP plus SP2, SP3, and any and all downloads since April 2008.

I hope someone has an easy fix that will avoid the clean install.

Thank you all,

[glc]

My current install is an upgrade from 98SE to ME to XP

I think you've bought enough time - I'd do a clean install.

[inept]

Okay

Thank you very much for the advice.

Gosh I wish there was a really simple method.
That said, I have been having other problems such as "xxxx has encountered
a problem and needs to close". So I really do need to reinstall.

Next, I need to know the best method.

I have my original CD.
Windows XP Home Edition Version 2002 with Service Pack 1

I have a download of Service Pack 2 and Service Pack 3.

I have viewed instructions on slipstreaming SP2 to the original CD.
Do I need to go through the slipstream twice or just slipstream SP3
with my original CD?

Please point me in the right direction.

[inept]

One more question, will I need to re-register or re-certify XP?

[glc]

Slipstream once, to SP3. Yes, it will have to be reactivated, but it should be no problem doing it online.

[inept]

I thank you again for all your help.