Thanks to all for replies and suggestions. A drastically thinned 95, stripped of sounds, antivirus software, background whatzits, etc. puts in an acceptable performance. Unfortunately, findings the 4 x 16MB 30-pin SIMMS that I need to up it to 64MB seems almost impossible.
Incidentally, while setting up the PIII (now stable after 3 installs) I let my guard down for 2 days & ran without AV software. Result, MTX virus infection and a very tedious disinfect. Very nasty & tough to clean - only just up again. No data loss.
Lets all be careful out there...
(I preferred the line in the original first series - "Lets do it to them - before they do it to us".