Well, one thing that tend to work is the classic format (I know that it's more like avoiding the problem than fixing it, but hey, usually it works).
Also, you said it worked fine before, and that it was slow now. Then you removed some spyware, which made it "significantly quicker than before". Maybe this is actually the speed it was running on before, so that you now have, in their eyes, fixed it.
EDIT: Also...
quote:
Originally posted by M73A
im trying to sort out my parent's friend's laptop
quote:
Originally posted by Nathan
Stick linux on it
I wouldn't go that far without at least consulting them
/ 
