What operating syatem are you running red? XP, 2000, Me, 98???? Anyhow, here are some quick things to check/do. First, cleanup your "C" drive by removing all the temporary internet files. To do this go to your start button and follow the flow chart:
start>>>all programs>>>accessories>>>system tools>>>disk cleanup
Select your "c" drive and press ok. Your machine will then calculate how much space it can free up. When it is done it will show you how much you can safely delete. Click ok to do this. It will let you know when you are done.
Next, let's get rid of those pesky "start up and running in the background even though you don't need them" programs. Click your start button then click "RUN" and type in MSCONFIG
Then click OK. You will then see a popup with tabs at the top. Choose the one that says "Startup" ...you will then see a list of all the programs that start running every time you turn on your computer. I would uncheck all of them except the ones that directly point to your WINDOWS folder...you will see the filepath's next to each choice. (IE: C:\WINDOWS) The ones that usually are doing the hogging would have this filepath: C:\Program Files
Also leave alone anything that says something like sys32 or dll (dynamic link files) for they might be crutial to your system performing properly. After you have unchecked what you don't need click APPLY. Then shut down and restart your computer.
If this does not help, also try removing uneccesary programs from your computer. To do this, go again to your start button, then click MY Computer, Then Control Panel. Then selsct ADD/REMOVE Programs. You will then see a list of all programs installed on your computer. When you click on one, it should tell you how often you use that particular program. If you don't use a certain program much anymore or not at all, get rid of it now!!! There are alot of programs that can cause conflict with crucial files in your computer that help things to stay running smoothly...happens all the time. Also then run a defrag...it takes a bit but will put clusters of programs on your computer back in order. Get there by going the same route as you used to get to system tools!
If this all fails, you need to do a clean wipe of your hard drive (called an F-disk to some), re-partition your computer and reinstall your operating system. This will take your computer back to pretty much brand new. You can find out how to do this by doing a search on yahoo. Type in something like "Nuking a Computer" and you should have plenty of places to read on it. All computers are different in this area and it also depends on which OS you are currentley running, so look for information specific to what you have. Some places even have a "nuke" download so you can put it on floppy disk. Then when you start up your computer and it says "press F8" to go to setup, you will do that, go into the BIOS section and change the boot order on your computer. Most computers are set to boot from the "C" drive which is where windows resides. You will change the order so it boots from Drive "A" which is your floppy disk. Then turn off your computer after you have changed it (BTW...you will use your arrow keys and enter button while in the bios as the mouse does not function in there), insert the floppy disk you downloaded to off the internet and then re-boot (re-start) your computer. It will then provide instruction as to what to do usually. Remember to have your OS installation CD handy and the serial number for when you get to re-install. Also, when you do go to reinstall you will either have to insert the CD and do a command prompt (the mode the computer will be in while the floppy disk is doing it's thing) of D:\setup (the letter of your CD drive) OR you will have to shut down the computer again, restart, go back into the BIOS section and change your boot order again to where the computer boots from the CD-ROM first. Then do a restart and the new installation disk should prompt you with instructions. Hope some of this helps bro.
peace out,
daddy
Merry Christmas Santa, and bring the prat a new machine along with a guide to appropriate online behavior. 
