Under processes, it is the system idle process that's using the resources. This is okay then? I have noticed a slow down, and firefox kept crashing and freezing, so I removed it with the intent to reinstall.

Also, while XP is loading, I notice that the icons next to my clock may be coming up in a different order. Is this something that matters? I get an icon for an internet connection first (with a red X over it when I don't have the modem on - without it when I do - even when I haven't connected to Verizon), then an icon for my sound settings, and then Kaspersky. Is this something related/that I should worry about?

Thanks for helping the still-newbie-girl!