Hmm you'll need some things:
1st, call *2 and ask for the "latest PRL update" then follow the said instructions in the call.
Next, get a Task Manager. This one is free, very clean & light:
http://soft.photoracer.net/docs/wktask_en.html
Next up get a memory manager. BTW yes thats free too:
http://www.oxios.com/memory/
IMHO, Map Hibernate (aka the Snowflake) to a button, this'll make freeing up RAM that much faster.
"What the hell are these apps & what do they have to do with anything?"
You're problem 9/10 comes from other applications gradually eating program memory, which will slow down responses from other primary functions.
Not roaming on the latest PRL can cause those goofs too.
Hope that helps....