The Novel software, in recent years, has only been a bolt-on add-on to Windows, so your mom's laptop really (most likely) runs Windows, with a tie-in to a Novel network. (Ahh-h-h, Novel, who'd have ever thought you'd fade away? Just the same way people think about Microsoft now.)

You basically have two options:

1) Clean up the laptop,
or
2) Rebuild the laptop.

Cleaning never really ever gets a computer "clean"; there are always little driblets and cruft left lying about under the hood. To really clean a box, you're almost always better off rebuilding it (software-wise, not hardware-wise).

Of course, if you don't have the installation CD for Windows, and if you can't access the net for drivers (or have another way of getting them), and don't have registration keys and other application installers/reg. keys, rebuilding becomes very hard. (But still, you'll learn a LOT.) You also have to be concerned about backing up and restoring any data. (But if data is important, it should be regularly backed up anyway; it's not a matter of if your machine fails; it's a matter of when.)

I recommend, for learning value, as well as to get the machine really clean, you rebuild it. And as long as you're rebuilding it, you should think about making it dual-boot with some flavor of Linux or BSD (Ubuntu is a popular Linux; I personally prefer Debian). You can even get your feet wet with a LiveCD from Knoppix.com or Ubuntu.com which will give you a complete Linux system running from the CD, without making any permanent changes to your laptop to help you decide if you want to try setting up the laptop in a dual-boot configuration. Google has lots of help in doing this.

I hope you have success in getting the machine working well.

Below can help you speed up your pc:

I.
De-Fragmenting
1. Right click of C Disk.
2. Click properties.
3. Click tools tab.
4. Click "Defragment now".
5. Click Defragment.

II.
You can search which process full use you cpu, and end the process.

Under steps:
1. right click on the TaskBar.
2. click the Task Manager.
3. click the processes tab.
4. double click the CPU.
5. find if the "System Idle Process" is max.
6. if not right click and click end process.

III.
Try optimizing Internet Exlorer Browser
a. Check first the version
Click Help
Click About Internet Explorer

If you are using IE7 or version 7
1. Close IE
2. Click on Start
3. Click on Control Panel
4. Open Network and Internet Connections
5. Open Internet Options
NOTE: If Network and Internet Connections is separated just try to look for Internet Options
6. At Internet Options
7.Click on Advanced on the upper right
8.Click on Reset at the bottom portion
9.Click on Close
10.Click on Apply and OK

If you are using version 6
1.Click on Tools on the upper verions
2.Click on Internet Options
3.Under General Tab Delete Files, Delete Cookies
4.Then Go to Security Tab, Click on Default Level
5.Then Go to Privacy, Click on Default
6.Then Go to Programs Tab, Click on Reset Web Settings
7.Then Go to Advanced Click on Restore Defaults
8.Click on Apply and OK

IV. Manage your startups. Your excess CPU usage is due to too many programs running in the background. You can cut these to barebones by alter your msconfig. Here is how:

1. Open your Start menu.
2. Click Run
3. In the command screen type "msconfig.exe"
4. In the "system configuration utility",click either "service" or "startup" tab
5. Uncheck all programs that your are no longer using.
6. Click "OK"

Use the tool: http://tp5pro.com/themosteffectiveregistrycleaner.htm
Learn more information "why is my computer running so slow": http://tp5pro.com/WhyIsMyComputerSlow.htm