Hi Ken, WELCOME BACK.
Sorry to read about the comp. blowing up. The question of RAM is already answered in the list you posted. The 512 meg is the RAM. IMHO, you only need around a 40 or 80 gig Hard Drive. You'll never use 200 gig. If you're going to go BIG, then get 1 gig of RAM.
The best browser & eMail progs. IMO, are Firefox & Thunderbird.(
www.mozilla.org) FREE. Team them with Mailwasher,(the Pro version you pay about $30.00 for), ((this allows you to read & deal with your mail at the server without D/L'ing it)), & don't use IE or OE, too many holes. You just import all your addy's to Thunderbird once it's set up. Do contact your provider to set up your eMail tho.as noted by Paul.
Post if you have probs. Somebody will walk you thru.
Get a 3D graphics card & XP Home edition is O.K. Bit cheaper.
HTH. Regards, L.
ps. Anyone got SP2 on disc for Ken????? Might save him around 6 hrs of D/L'ing.
pps. Sygate personal Firewall is a must have as well, Ken. Don't rely on the windows F/Wall.