Kentuck- I don't think a couple seconds spike to 99-100% is alarming. Mine does this occasionally when opening some programs or my browser. I think it's only an issue if you have a spike and it stays up there. For example, once in a while my Windows Media Player hangs up if I try to play a video at some sites and it ties up my computer at 100% until I go into the Task Manager and select it and shut it down. As for your question about what processes are essential, here is a link that lists the main background processes by their (sometimes inscrutable) names, and tells you what they do. Make sure you have the "Show processes from all users" box checked and compare the list of names. Some of the names you'll have will be processes specific to things like your antivirus, and won't be listed here. For those that aren't, just write the name down and do a Google search. (Sometimes a virus will show up in this list, although I don't think that's your problem.) As I write this, I have 53 processes in the background. I'd have more if I hadn't prevented things like RealPlayer and Quicktime from starting each time I bootup. Here is a link that might be useful: WinTasks Process Library

I freqently get the ongoing antiphish animation. It caused here by my blocking some advertizement url's. It doesnt seem to add any heat to anything or extra amounts of cpu so I just ignore it. Phishing filter doesnt seem to have any security levels,, its either on or off ...or can be disabled for all sites or thing it might also be selectivly disabled on certain websites if you add them to the Trusted sights list. Vista's internet explorer popup filter apparently works well as I rarely see any popups and thats the only popup blocker running here & set to Medium.

Personally I think it is a FFv28 concern. I am always current with Flash and Shockwave, but ever since the release of v28 I too have had the delay at times. I've even crossed over to an alternate browser to view the targeted page at times. This maneuver works without delay. I've updated to the recently released v29, but it is too early to tell if there is an improvement. DA

you are being very trusting and in these days of stolen identity that unfortunately is NOT a good thing. It is possible for your system to be accessed and not just by her, if she has her wireless network set up insecurely with out proper security protocols set then any one near your house even some one driving by can spot that you have an open unsecured network and they can use their pc to jump right on to yours. This driving by looking for open networks is called war chalking, they even have codes they will write in chalk on side walks to let others know this house is wide open, they have websites they list addresses on for houses with open networks! war-chalking and more Please be very careful your kindness could cost you dearly, and not necessarily by the nice librarian but by someone that found your open network.