Poor performance since 10.3.9 update from 10.3.8 -- need tune-up?

Question

I've tried 10.3.9 for most of this month, just booted from my 10.3.8 backup, and there's just no getting around the fact that performance has suffered greatly since I updated from 10.3.8 to 10.3.9.
I can go back to 10.3.8 but it will be a long and tedious process (and will keep me from using an important application AFAIK) if anyone can help tune up 10.3.9 I'll be grateful.
Here's the problems.
1. Extraordinarily slow internet. Doesn't matter if I'm on dialup or using the library's wi-fi broadband. Safari is practically unusable. Firefox is barely better.
* Safari times out 7 or 8 times out of 10 urls. It first drops down a dialog box saying the server can't be found and when I click OK it then proceeds to load the page. This is on dialup or the free library wifi.
* iTunes - it takes 2 hours to update my podcasts at the library under 10.3.9 (no updates to iTunes) and I never had it take longer than 40 mins under 10.3.8.
* FTP - I don't recall the times anymore, but I've given up trying to use FTP at the library because it seems as slow as at home on dialup. If I need to FTP I do it over night on dialup.
2. Applications startup very slow. No less than 10 or 12 bounces before anything launches.
3. I can't burn CDs from iTunes any more.
Before updating to 10.3.9 I backed up, ran Disk Warrior, repaired permissions, and quit all other applications. I used Software Update to install the updates including QT 7.1.6 but not iTunes 7. [Software Update is showing the installed updates log as empty. :/ ] I repaired permissions and ran the crons afterwards.
Since then I've run Disk Warrior, ran Onyx to repair permissions, run chrons, empty all caches numerous times. I've zapped the PRAM. Checked for font duplicates. Disk Warrior again. Onyx again. Repeat.
Anything else I can do? Thanks.

Answer 1

Marlinespike:
I have been following the conversation, although not responding. Here are the options as I see them:
You can continue to trouble shoot your affected user account in the hope you can sort it out somehow.
You can create a new user account and move your data over.
You can backup, reformat, zero all data, re-insstall and restore.
Since there is obviously some kind of corruption of your user account, I think it best to go to one of the other two options.
I favor the last one. It is a bit more onerous, but it will start you out with a clean slate. If you are interested in going that route, here are some directions you might find helpful
Formatting, Partitioning Zeroing a Hard Disk Drive
Warning! Be sure you have a tested backup of at least your Users folder and any third party applications you do not want to re-install before attempting this procedure.
Boot from the install CD holding down the "C" key.
Select language
Go to the Utilities menu (Tiger) Installer menu (Panther & earlier) and launch Disk Utility.
Select your HDD (manufacturer ID) in left side bar.
Select Partition tab in main panel. (You are about to create a single partition volume.)
Select number of partition in pull-down menu above Volume diagram.
(Note: 1 partition is normally better for an internal HDD. External HDDs usually have more than one)
Type in name in Name field (usually Macintosh HD)
Select Volume Format as Mac OS Extended (Journaled)
Click Partition button at bottom of panel.
Select Erase tab
Select the a volume under Manufacturer ID (usually Macintosh HD).
Check to be sure your Volume Name and Volume Format are correct.
Select on Security Options button (Tiger) Options button (Panther & earlier).
Select Zero all data. (This process will map out bad blocks on your HDD. However, it could take several hours. You could just do a simple Erase, but I think zeroing will be valuable in your situation.)
Click OK.
Click Erase button
Quit Disk Utility.
Open installer and begin installation process.
Choose to Customize and deselect Foreign Language Translations and Additional Printer drivers.
Check box to install BSD Subsystems.
Proceed with installation.
After installation computer will restart for setup.
After setup, reboot computer.
Go to Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility.
Select your HDD (manufacturer ID) in left side bar.
Select First Aid in main panel.
Click Repair Disk Permissions.
Connect to Internet.
Download and install 10.3.9 Combo Update
Computer will restart after updates.
Go to Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility.
Select your HDD (manufacturer ID) in left side bar.
Select First Aid in main panel.
Click Repair Disk Permissions.
Good luck.
cornelius