Has the laptop ever been wiped and windows reinstalled, and I don't mean by a setup disc from the manufacturer?
It is amazing how much junk gets inatalled on new PC's
Iwould take the advice a few posts up, back up all your personal stuff, install Windows 7 (upgrade from Vista shouklnt be too dear) install a fresh new OS then maybe a little ram upgrade... Should do the trick, If I lived nearby I would do it for you