Why is XP running so slowly?

I'm running Windows XP with service pack 2 and about a month ago, my computer
slowed down quite drastically. Simple tasks like opening a program or
clicking on the start menu take ages. However, games run at normal speed
although after a while, I'll get an error message saying "cannot execute
memory" and then the memory address and then the program will close.

I've tried defragmenting the hard drive and running a windows memory test,
and I scan for viruses and adware/spyware regularly but it hasn't helped. I
don't know what could have caused the slow-down. The only thing I can think
of that changed anything is Windows Update.

Any ideas of what could have caused this or how I can fix it would be
greatly appreciated.
.

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