Thanks once again chaps.
On the final leg of installation now. As may be obvious, the large number of updates has slowed progress. I'm not sure about the processor speed, but I have a recollection that lack of RAM is behind the somewhat constipated nature of the machine. It's a couple of years since I last did a re-install on it and I'm pretty sure I told the owner that back then. I think I'll drop another hint that she should give serious consideration to replacing it. The more I think about it, the more convinced I am that I investigated the possibility of installing more RAM but found that it was out of the question.
Before anyone else says it, my memory is somewhat lacking as well
N o t a