XP task manager graph colors

have an Athlon xp2600+ on an "old" Compaq (yes, I know -- booo -- hissss HP). runs on idle at 47C. Following problem has been before & after doing AV & spyware scans x 4 in safe mode. In the CPU usage & usage history graphs, besides the normal green lines, any time use is above 5% CPU usage, the chart shows 50-70% RED. I have gone to the MS site and it was as helpful as usual (none). The HDD looks/acts OK but sometimes Outlook or IE locks it up for a while. From what I can tell, all running processes are legit. Am using eTrust suite & it is a resource hog once in a while for a moment or 2 & when the graph bounces to 80%+, over 50-90% is red. FYI in safe mode there is NO red. I know I can try to track down the offender out of ~20+ but does anybody know what the red graph means? My daddy used ta say that red usually is a bad thing. any ideas?Guess this comp saw the new one that came in to replace it

thanks most wise, ancient one --- scary thing is -- I'm the only one that would go here & I never chose to change the view - justa tad unstable maybe? I had been thinking about a W repair but w/ a new comp - not worth it. I will sleep better 2nite.