Hmmm--if everything slows down and you are on OSX 10.2, perhaps it's a general OSX problem that might be easily fixed by repairing "permissions"?

Try restarting in "safe boot" mode (explained here http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107392), and then using Disk Utility to repair permissions.

Here's another link about troubleshooting Jaguar problems: http://www.macattorney.com/tutorial.html

If these general fixes don't apply, post back with more specific details about your system, and maybe someone can give more specific help.