1) normal - usb is really designed to be hot pluggable. You should really power the pc and 7k and then plug the 7k into the pc. Just unplug when all activity has ceased.

2) normal

3) normal because Panasonic usb has taken over the recording function. If you want to use a mic plug it into the 7k and use the slider on the panel.

I am biased against cyrix processors because their relative performance is dire but know of a similar system that works ok so cannot be dogmatic about it.