Dude Cookster just told you what to do. Press Ctrl+Alt+Del in safe mode then click the PROCESSES tab. Then end task of everything except Explorer.exe.
You have been told multiple times not to double post, EDITING your posts works the same way, and it dosn't piss off the mods. Editing also brings your post to the top of the list, last time I checked.
Gatsu, had you looked around megagames, you would have noticed their failry large (but unorginzied) tweek section. Also there is a config.cfg file creator for HL at tweek3d.net that could make your HL run a little better, I ran it a while ago just for ****s and giggles and it helped out a bit.
Yeah, go to price club and get an HP. hehehe.. whew.. good one. HPs at wal-mart or sams club = **** ass celeron with **** ass intel based graphics card. And he has an extremly low end system, if he wants to upgrade, he really has no choice but to build a new computer, or, buy one.