Systray (System Tray) is that little area by the time display where you see icons for startup programs. You will see a double computer icon there, if you either double click it or just hold your mouse over it, you will see a display of your connection speed as it was established when you first dialed up. This can vary quite a bit from connection to connection. If you have a 56k modem, and don't live in the boondocks, it should be at least 38kbs. If it is less than that you should talk to your phone company and have them test the line.
By the way, with AOL I believe you have the option of either downloading through their browser or IE, have you tried both ways to see if there is a difference.
Also I just noticed that in your Running Processes, but nowhere in your startup programs themselves I see this:
C:\PROGRAM FILES\NETWAITING\NETWAITING.EXE
Ok, I see it covered here? Do you really need to run it?
http://www.v92.com/about/netwaiting.html
Is it still present after disabling that other startup?
