EzzaB you don't need to do low level formatting unless you have sector corruption. if you want to "shred" all of your data use BCwipe with US DoD 5200.28-STD standard of 7 passes or 3-4 passes if you don't have days to wait for your data to be destroyed. Although your problem sounds like you're just installing too much stuff on your system tray. minimize your system processes and your computer shouldn't run too slow. reinstalling your operating system or getting a faster computer might work better if you pc is old.
http://www.jetico.com/bcwipe3.htm
http://www.jetico.com/bcwipe3.htm
