OS X Snow Leopard not updating?

[WallyWest]

My macbook has been on the fritz for a few months now. It refuses to register any changes that I make regarding deleting apps/trying to download apps (app store gives an error every time). Will not register changes to browser settings, or dock set up. All settings are stuck from a few months ago. I can still create file folders and things, but not all aspects of the software are working. Please help me. My macbook is starting to run damn slow and I don't have money to take it somewhere. It's a 2008 a1181 model macbook.

Here are the specs:

Hardware
Model Name: MacBook
Model Identifier: MacBook3,1
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 2.2 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2
L2 Cache: 4 MB
Memory: 1 GB
Bus Speed: 800 MHz
Boot ROM Version: MB31.008E.B02
SMC Version (system): 1.24f3
Serial Number (system):
Hardware UUID:
Sudden Motion Sensor:
State: Enabled

Software
System Version: Mac OS X 10.6.8 (10K549)
Kernel Version: Darwin 10.8.0
Boot Volume: Macintosh HD
Boot Mode: Normal
Computer Name: WallyWest's MacBook
User Name: WallyWest (WallyWest)
Secure Virtual Memory: Enabled
64-bit Kernel and Extensions: No
Time since boot: 7 days 45 minutes

 

[Doctor X]

Hmmmm . . . you may or may not like what I have to offer.

You need to back up your data. Why? Goeth thou to OH NOESSs! to see what can happy. IF you back up your data then what follows cannot hurt you. Your problem can be something as simple as running Disk Utility to reloading your OS. However, you really, really, want to get an Ex-HD and a cloning program.

Once you do that, there are all sort of steps to follow. Are you "the Administrator" or are you using a personal account so that you are not actually saving everything if you are in your Administrator account? Have you run Disk Utility. What? You lost your installation disks?

Well, if you boot off your cloned Ex-HD you can run Disk Utility on your MacBook's Int-HD and that may do it.

There are also some "cleaning" programs--such as Onyx--which is free! That may solve the problem.

However, before you frell with things--and believe me, I have done that! Why I am HERE actually!--it is nice to know you have all your data backed up. You can always "go back."

--J.D.