Help! Yahoo internet chess--and Java--suddenly slow

i recently replace my Dimension 8100 hardrive due to a crash with Windows xp2 service pack installed on the new hardrive.  To my surprise I was advised that the version of Internet Explorer now on the hardrive failed to contain Java applications necessary to play yahoo games BECAUSE microsoft no long includes Java with IE.  Thus, I downloaded Java from sun onto my system and i am now able to play my one minute games of CHESS on YAHOO.  HOWEVER, there are now two problems.  1.  the system seems to drag slightly and i am unable to move my pieces with normal speed which is disasterous in one minute speed games, and 2.  the chess window (chess boards) at the bottom of the window show about a one half inch blank gray space which says "Java applet".  this obscures the "messaging" part of the board an prevents me from communicating with the opposing player.  horrible.  I have tinkered and been unable to do any improvement including when i remove the xp2 firewall.  anybody have any idea why 1. would microsoft take java off its IE, and 2. what is causing my drag in speed with the mouse(nohting to do with the mouse by the way), and the Java applet which obscures part of the chess board. thanks frank brown, kcmo.