it says "windows xp professional and there are about 10 icons vertically there. So I don't see the "run" box.
That sounds like you have the "classic" menu. "Run" is the button above Log Off Owner or Turn off Computer
Attachment 13711

Something is not adding up in your story. There is no slider in the default XP display settings where you can choose 25%. I suspect it's part of your video driver software.