speeding up my computer while running skype?

Your question or statement contradicts itself. Skype requires an internet connection. It doesnt sound like a pc speed problem but a connection or broadband problem.

do this below

start

run

type msconfig

hit enter

go to startup tab

disable all except your virus checker

reboot pc

defrag hard drive

make sure you have good phonline connection for good connection speeds

Your skype connection is probably using up most of the internet bandwidth available which is why the rest of the internet on your machine is slow. You may need to increase your internet package or if you have video on skype turn off the video option and have voice only - that should help a bit

It may be that if you have a low power machine skype is using most of the resources - it may be worth looking at the skype help files and see if there is anything else you can do to improve performance i.e RAM upgrade etc

no longer correct spec as you reported yet with 2gb ram and the processor? skype isn't great, neither hogs memory, have you ever tried surely cleansing ie ccleaner as an instance? Ever defragged it? Checked your start up list? You spec ought to deal with much better than skype i assure you...:)

One way to speed up your system is to select a good PC optimizer and System cleaner such as reginout from Intel Software Directory http://ibx.intel.com/directory/Default.aspx

Upgrade to a quad-core cpu if you don't have one already. AM3 at Newegg.com.