Yes, 56 processes in the background.
XP is known for having a lot of background processes running.
Some of the processes are normal operating system stuff.
If you want to know what a process is then put it in Google.
The Answers That Work website maintains a great list.
Find out what you can shut down and what you need.

You can download StartUp Control Panel from the link below.
Install it and use it to control what runs at startup.

Pooh Bear

Here is a link that might be useful: StartUp Control Panel

I have 37 processes.
I used this really cool program Process Scanner to scan and analyze my system and to provide within minutes a complete list of all the processes, .dlls and other items that open on your system on startup.

Pooh,
I clicked on the link, got a box: you have chosen to open startup controlpanel exe, would you like to save this file? Save/Cancel. Clicked Save. Got the little Firefox Download box with Open/Remove options. No option to install. Clicked Open. Next Box Startup Controlpanel 2.8 by Mike Lin. Has 6-8 options. Run, run once,Deleted, Startup user, etc.
I'm confused. Help me out here.

Sue

You click on each of those tabs,
and uncheck stuff you don't want to run at start up.

The number of processes will vary some from system to system.
I have 43 processes running. I could shut down at least
10 of those processes an not affect the operating system.
They are running because I use them.

Pooh Bear

Pooh, I will check out some of those I'm not sure of.

Randy, I'm going to take a look at your link also.

Thanks to both of you.

Sue