[Increase Xp Performance]

Changing to XP classic theme is also helpful.

[Setting Up Gmail For Thunderbird!]

I am having a problem with the password, like acid I think. How did you resolve it?

This is for recieving email on gmail.

EDIT

I tried again (without changing settings or anything) about an hour after it wasn't working, and it is now working fine. Strange, but it is heartening to know that I wasn't doing anything wrong.

So if you have tried everything then wait a while and try again.